Summer is right around the corner and temperatures are definitely warming up in Waterloo Region! That means it’s time for air conditioning (AC) season! Before the sweltering heat comes and you’re running your unit constantly, don’t forget to call Afterglow to complete your annual AC maintenance — especially if you turn your system on and it emits a foul smell.
The Afterglow team has had quite a few clients share their stinky stories, so we’ve put together some information to help explain those awful AC’s smells and how to combat them.
What causes AC’s to smell?
Mold and mildew on the indoor AC coil
In most situations, bad AC smells are caused by mold and mildew growing on a dirty indoor coil — gross, right? The smell is caused by the moisture/humidity being removed from the house with the indoor coil — that’s what an AC does! This moisture mixes with the dust and dirt on the coil to create the smell and then that smell is circulated throughout your home. The dirt and dust have had plenty of time to accumulate and settle in your system over the winter, which is why the smell is so pungent when you first turn on your AC.
Dirty air filter
Stinky AC smells can also be caused by a dirty air filter. Your system’s filter works hard to pull odor-causing contaminants out of your home’s air, and if you haven’t been changing your air filter regularly, these captured smells could be recirculating back into your home when the AC is turned on. Nobody wants that!
Air filters are a vital part of your home’s air quality, which means that they require regular tender loving care. Keep in mind that if you avoid replacing your AC’s filters, it can not only lead to unwanted smells but unwanted mechanical issues and repair costs too! Learn more here.
How do you combat a smelly AC unit?
Annual AC maintenance
An AC requires regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its lifetime. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in AC performance — bad smells will be the least of your worries.
Contact Afterglow and book your summer 2016 AC maintenance appointment.
Change your air filter
It’s time for a new routine! If you haven’t been changing your air filter, it’s time to step up. Regular filter changes will remove fungi and contaminants from your system so they cannot be recirculated back into the home. The frequency that you should change your air filter depends on the type of filter you have, as well as other factors like if you have pets in the home.
If you find that your AC is emitting a foul smell, give us a call for our maintenance team to identify and amend the odour-causing problem.
Afterglow. Water, warmth, well-being.