AC Smells Musty? Right here’s what to do.

It gained’t be lengthy earlier than you begin up your air conditioner for the primary time this spring (in case you haven’t performed so already). However what in case your AC smells musty and ugly after sitting unused all winter? Air conditioner smells can occur for various causes.

Let’s check out what may cause that musty scent coming out of your AC vents (or the unit itself) and the way to do away with it. 

Why your AC smells musty

When an air conditioner smells musty, it’s an indication of moisture the place it doesn’t belong. Moist situations permit mildew to develop, resulting in that musty odor. 

The query is, the place are the moisture and the mould coming from? It may very well be one (or extra) of the next:

• Your ducts.  Constructed-up mud and dirt in your HVAC ducts, together with amassed moisture, may cause a musty scent that spreads via your area together with heated or cooled air.
• The unit. When you’ve got a though-the-wall kind air-con system, moisture could have amassed within the unit. Mildew spores can get in and develop because the air warms, bringing nasty smells once you flip in your AC.
• Water leaks someplace else. It’s attainable that the musty scent could also be coming from someplace else in your area. It may very well be a poorly ventilated toilet, locker room, or storage space that has a return duct delivering smelly air again into your AC system. When you’ve got plumbing points and water leaks someplace, poor HVAC design can create airflow situations that unfold odors all over the place.

You in all probability already know that making an attempt to masks air conditioner smells with sprays or scented candles isn’t going to do away with the issue. Right here’s what to do as an alternative.

3 steps to do away with air conditioner smells 

Listed below are 3 steps to take in case your AC smells musty:

1. Have your AC system inspected and totally cleaned

Begin by bringing in an expert HVAC technician to take a look at your system parts. He’ll change clogged filters and spot indicators of water leaks and mould progress that may very well be inflicting odors. You might need condensate fluid leaking, a drain ache that’s overflowing, or different concern that’s gone undetected for lengthy sufficient to permit mildew to develop. 

This will simply occur in case you haven’t had your system maintained for some time. Air-con upkeep prevents points like this as a result of the issues that trigger them get fastened earlier than any harm is finished. (That’s why it’s known as preventative upkeep.)

Residential programs ought to get upkeep at the least every year, ideally within the spring earlier than you begin it up for the primary time. Business air-con programs may have upkeep extra often, relying on the utilization situations. It pays to speak to the specialists and get a advice.

In the event you’re within the NYC metro space, Arista will help. Right here’s a straightforward strategy to get an estimate for a business or luxurious residential upkeep settlement.

2. Clear your HVAC ducts 

In case your tools is working nicely and doesn’t have any water leaks, the musty scent could also be coming from the ducts that distribute cooled air all through your area. (That’s assuming you might have a ducted system.)

Your HVAC technician can check out your ducts once they examine your tools, and they can see moisture and even mould progress. In that case, you’ll want to herald duct cleansing specialists to scrub and sanitize your ducts.

Get our useful information to be taught extra about the advantages of duct cleansing for enhancing indoor air high quality.

3. Restore water leaks and alter airflow 

In case your AC smells dangerous however your tools and ducts are wonderful, it’s time to look elsewhere in your area for the supply of the odor. If water leaks are discovered, clearly you’ll must get that taken care of to do away with the musty scent. 

However why does the scent appear to be coming out of your AC? The reply is air circulation. Your HVAC system is designed to maneuver conditioned air all through your area. However generally it could unfold odors together with the air transferring via the ducts. 

Air circulation is one thing that may be managed with correct air flow and HVAC design. Discuss to your HVAC technician about this you probably have ongoing odor issues. You would possibly profit from transferring ductwork, including followers, or including air flow to make your area scent contemporary once more.