Why Your Home May Smell After Turning On Your HVAC

by | Feb 8, 2018 | Heating and Air Conditioning

When you switch on your air conditioner, no weird odors should not suddenly start wafting through the halls. Strange smells are likely a symptom that something is wrong with your unit and that you may require air conditioning repair in Fayetteville. Here is a look at three possible causes for a weird-smelling home.

Size of the AC

Sometimes an air conditioner may actually be too big to cool your home. HVACs act as dehumidifiers for your home’s air. However, air conditioner units that are excessively large for the homes they cool will not run for long enough to cool the air, leaving some humidity on the air conditioning unit that can spawn mold and mildew. The HVAC will then blow the odor of mold throughout your home.

Clogged Condensate Drain

Another problem arises when the condensate drain in an air conditioner becomes clogged. When this happens, the drain pan will fill up with water. The resulting moisture in the pan may breed mildew and mold. The smell from this mold will then travel up through the ducts and spill out through the vents into the rooms of the house. Clogs in condensate drains may also result in the unit’s water overflowing or leaking.

Dirty Coils

An air conditioner circulates air over its cooling coils, so it is important that the coils are clean. However, at times, air conditioning units can pick up outdoor dirt and debris, which can build up on the unit’s condenser coils. If there is dirt, bacteria or mold growing on the coils, the air will carry the odors from the contaminants into your house.

A smelly home may be the result of an air conditioner not being a good fit for it. Other scenarios, such as dirty coils, may be a sign your HVAC requires air conditioning repair in Fayetteville, not just to eliminate the odor, but to restore your air conditioning unit to proper working order.

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