A bad smell coming from the air conditioner vents of your Beaumont, Texas, home requires immediate attention. An unpleasant odor that worsens when the air conditioner is running is indicative of a variety of problems, but luckily, most of them are relatively easy to fix.
If you’ve noticed a bad smell that just won’t go away, keep reading to learn about several possible causes and what you can do to resolve them.
Dirty Evaporator Coil
A dirty evaporator coil can cause a musty odor that permeates throughout the entire house. In addition to a bad smell, a dirty evaporator coil is likely to ice over frequently and cause weak airflow. If you notice these two issues along with a bad smell, your evaporator coil probably needs to be cleaned and serviced.
To avoid this problem, change your filter and have your HVAC unit serviced regularly. While these steps aren’t a guaranteed way to avoid a dirty evaporator coil, regular preventive maintenance will make issues such as this one less likely to develop.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
If you take a moment to study your air conditioning unit, you’ll see a small dripping line on the outside — this is the condensate drain line. Its job is to catch and drain away any water that drips from the evaporator coil. If this line gets clogged, it will trap standing water and often cause a bad smell to develop.
This is a relatively easy problem to fix. If you suspect your drain line is clogged, give us a call, and we can help you get it unclogged and working again.
Leaky Air Ducts
Your air ducts carry air to all the rooms in your home. If your ducts develop leaks in the dirty areas of your home, such as your attic or crawl space, they are likely to draw in air filled with dust, dirt, and other debris. The ducts will then distribute this dirty, smelly air throughout your house.
If you suspect you have leaky air ducts, get them inspected. If leaks are found, have your ducts cleaned and sealed. This should get rid of the leaks along with the dirt and debris swirling around inside them.
Pest Problem
No one likes to consider this issue, but if your air conditioner smells bad you might have a pest problem. It’s also possible that a small animal has died inside your air ducts or attic. It’s unpleasant to think about, but it’s a common issue that homeowners face from time to time.
If you smell a rotting odor and have heard signs of animals in your attic, such as scurrying feet, call a pest control professional. Furthermore, animal droppings in your air duct are a sure sign you have a problem. A pest control professional can help you figure out what’s going on and remove the animal if necessary.
Overheating Motor
A burning smell indicates an overheating motor, wiring issue, or other mechanical problem. Turn off the HVAC unit at the breaker box and give your HVAC service provider a call. Electrical issues always require professional attention.
Dirty Air Filter
Air filters that are clogged with dust can cause a musty smell. This is often a problem when the air conditioner is used for the first time in the spring or summer. If you notice a musty smell and you haven’t run your air conditioner in a while, turn off your unit and change or clean your air filter.
If you notice an unpleasant smell coming from your HVAC unit, get in touch with the professionals at Thermacon Service Company, Inc. Give us a call at 866-797-1535 so we can address your HVAC problems. We’ll figure out what’s going on and help you get your home smelling clean and fresh again.
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