It isn’t uncommon that you might start up your air conditioner one day only to notice that it is throwing a musty smell. But why is your air conditioner smelling musty? Should you notice this smell, that is probably a sign of mildew or mold in your air conditioner. Unfortunately, this isn’t a good sign, both for the functionality of your system and your health. But what causes mildew and mold? Are there any other causes of a musty smell?
Moisture Within the Vents
Moisture in the vents of your air conditioner can be a problematic issue, mainly if you live in a hot and humid area. The moisture accumulating in the air vents offers a perfect place for mildew and mold to thrive and grow. Mold can grow anywhere within the vents and air ducts, providing moisture. It is a serious issue for you and your family because it could cause various health complications, like exacerbating the conditions of those living with asthma, resulting in allergy issues.
Therefore, when the air conditioning vents smell moldy or musty, homeowners should hastily act to ensure that the problem has been eliminated. Whenever you notice this smell, the best option is to have an air conditioning service technician in Cypress, TX, inspect your AC unit. The professional will clean the air ducts and vents to remove any bad smell and protect your family from the dangers of health complications.
Full Drain Pan
The drain pan is the part of your air conditioner that helps collect the condensate produced during the cooling activities. The condensate is then drained outdoors via the condensate drain line. When the drain pan gets full or isn’t properly draining the condensate, the stagnating water will form an ideal spot for bacteria and mold to grow.
When this happens, you’ll start to smell the awful odor or even might notice water leaking from your walls. You may also notice a yellow tinge surrounding the base of your air conditioning unit. With such signs, it is wise to have an air conditioning service technician inspect the air conditioner and offer the required solution.
Clogged Air Conditioner Drain Line
Are you still asking yourself why your air conditioner has that musty smell? A clogged drain might also be the culprit. As mentioned above, the drain lines help drain the condensate from the unit’s drain pan into the outdoor environment. If the drain line has a problem like clogging or blockage, you will surely experience issues.
If the condensate isn’t flowing from the air conditioner, it stagnates somewhere within, most likely within the drain pan. Whenever this happens, bacteria and mildew eventually start growing; as a result, you might notice the musty smell. Unclogging the condensate drain lines is the best way of solving the issue. However, you shouldn’t do this yourself unless you are properly trained. Instead, have an AC repair technician perform the repair. However, a routine air conditioning service could help avert this problem.
Clogged or Dirty Filters
The other reason your house might be smelling musty is clogged or dirty air filters. The air filters are a critical component of an air conditioner. They remove the contaminants such as mold, bacteria, pollen, and other contaminants to ensure that the air you breathe is clean. Therefore, you should have a routine air conditioning service that includes filter replacement and duct cleaning. This is to ensure that the filters can still clean the air properly.
They will not properly filter the air if they’re clogged with dust and other particles. Additionally, if the dust particles and other particulates trapped in the filter become wet, the filters can trap the moisture, resulting in mold growth. The wet filters will then make the indoor air smell musty whenever the air conditioning unit tries blowing air into your home. Hence, if you aren’t sure why the vents of your air conditioning unit produce a musty smell, this may be the reason. The solution to avert this is to have preventative air conditioning service.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils are the component of the air conditioner that ensures your Cypress, TX, home is properly and sufficiently cooled. When warm air passes over the evaporator coils, they absorb that heat, cooling the air down. However, if there is no free flow of air because the air filters are clogged, the water droplets from the moist air settle on the coils.
The droplets then freeze on these coils, forming a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Whenever this happens, you’ll surely experience or notice the musty smell. A routine air conditioning service means the technician will replace the air filters and clean the air ducts to prevent this problem.
Large-Sized AC Unit
The last reason you might notice the musty smell in your house is the air conditioner size. You must install a properly sized air conditioner at your home. If the air conditioner you’ve installed is too large for your home, you will have to deal with mold and mildew growth. Even if you meticulously plan and execute an air conditioning service, you will still experience that musty smell from the air conditioning vents.
If the air conditioning system is large, it will rapidly cool your home. Therefore, there won’t be sufficient dehumidification of the fresh air. When this happens, bacteria and mold begin to grow within the air ducts and vents as the air travels via the air conditioner. This is why it is recommended that you have the input of an air conditioning service provider before installing an air conditioner.
Your Home Doesn’t Have To Smell Musty
Have you noticed that your home in Cypress, TX, has a musty smell? Then either of the factors above may be the culprit. However, you can avoid most by having a routine air conditioning service. For reliable installation, repair, servicing, or replacement of an air conditioner, contact us at Mr. Reliable Heating & Air.
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