So, your AC smells like mold, why is that? When your air conditioner is blowing, do you notice a distinctive smell flowing through your home? There is a high possibility it could be mold or mildew spores entering your home through your air vents. In order to find out if mold is present in or around your ac unit, here is a list of likely causes.
AC Smells Like Mold from Dirty Filters
After noticing the mildew smell disrupting your air quality, the first thing to check is the air filter. Because air filters capture tiny particles from your home’s air, there is a possibility that mildew growth found its way onto the filter through moisture pulled in from the air. Even if the smell doesn’t seem to be coming from the HVAC air filters, if its dirty, it still needs to be replaced.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
If your ac is shutting off after only a few minutes of running, check your indoor unit for any leaks or excessive water in the drain pan. This is one of the contributing factors to why your ac smells like mold. If the problem is a clogged coil then you’ll need to clean it. This can be done by turning off the air conditioner and locating the coil. There are multiple ways to clean coils. You may use mild detergents and a microfiber cloth or use a vacuum. If you are not certain on how to clean the coils efficiently, contact a professional for help. Remember, regular preventive ac maintenance is important to the health of your air conditioning unit. Check out the nastiest drain cleaning ever!
AC Smells Like Mold from Dirty Ductwork
Moisture can get into your air conditioning ductwork if it isn’t properly sealed or the ac system isn’t removing moisture in the air due to another underlying issue. Excessive moisture can cause mold and mildew growth that can spread and eventually invade other parts of your home. If you believe mold is growing in your air ducts, and your ac smells like mold contact a HVAC professional to examine your home’s air ducts and seal or replace it if necessary.
If there are any other issues you may have noticed or have any questions about your home air conditioning unit, please call American Air Care. We have been providing professional air conditioning services in Port St. Lucie and Martin County for more than 20 years.
