An AC is designed to provide quality air and comfort indoors, especially during the hot season. It helps you deal with the scorching summer heat by maintaining a cool, comfy indoor environment, even on the harshest day.
However, musty and unpleasant odors can instantly ruin the comfort. And, your AC can sometimes be the source of such stuffy smells. Now, this can be frustrating since you have to keep the AC on in summer.
So, what do you do to solve this problem if it happens? Do you know how to get rid of the musty smell from an air conditioner and regain the fresh indoor smell?
No need to worry at all! This piece explores exactly how to eliminate the musty smell and get your AC back on the right track.
Top Ways How to Get Rid of the Musty Smell in Air Conditioner Units
1. Clean the Coils
Ensuring that your cooling coils are clean is another way of getting rid of musty air conditioner smells. If your AC is indoors, switch off the circuit breaker’s power, unscrew the coils and start cleaning them.
Use a soft cloth in doing so and dispose of all the dirt and debris causing the musty smells. If your AC is outside, spray it without worrying about detaching any components.
2. Use Pressurized Air to Blow the AC
If you are looking for a perfect, fulfilling way to clean your AC, consider pressurized air. It gets rid of debris and dirt within no time.
And the good news is that it does not affect the internal components of your AC. You can employ a standard automotive air compressor for this task.
Alternatively, you can consider a handheld air compressor for the same. Once you clean the AC with the pressurized air, you might as well forget about the musty smell.
3. Seal the Air Ducts
Sealing your ducts will minimize the unwanted smells in your house. During humid seasons, leaks and holes in the air ducts allow moisture through the vents. Seal all the air ducts in your house’s basements, attic, and other places.
If you have no experience in HVAC repair and maintenance, always seek the assistance of an HVAC expert. This will guarantee that the work is done correctly and prevent any damages that might cost you additional money.
4. Clean the Drain Line
An AC has a drain line or a condensate line, which gets rid of the condensate produced during the cooling process. If you ignore cleaning the drain line, it can be a breeding area for mold and bacteria. Then musty smells will be a permanent ‘guest’ in your AC.
You should clean the drain line frequently and ensure that it’s working properly before fitting it back in.
5. Replace your Filters
Some filters in AC are single-use while others can be washed and recycled. As such, it’s a good idea to examine the type of filter in your AC before replacing it.
Generally, if your filter is dirty, the AC will send these particles through the vents. And since the air has to pass through the air filter and into the vents, there will be musty smells whenever your vents are open.
Follow these guidelines when replacing a dirty filter for your AC;
Purchase a new air filter (the right size)Switch off the ACGet rid of the old filterTake note of the marked arrows on your filter. They will show you the way to follow in fitting the new filter.Secure your filter behind the ventLastly, switch on the AC
If you follow these guidelines to the latter, then the musty smells from your vents should be gone.
6. Thoroughly Clean your Unit’s Air Ducts
Another common cause of musty smells coming from your air conditioner is dirty air ducts. Over time, dust and other particles can build up in the ductwork, and this can cause a musty smell when the AC is turned on.
To clean your unit’s air ducts, you will need to:
Turn off the power to your AC unit at the breaker box.Remove the access panel to your ductwork. This will usually be located near the AC unit itself.Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to remove any dust or debris from the ductwork.Replace the access panel and turn on the power to your AC unit.
7. Buy and Install an AC that Best Fits your Home
Having an AC that is too small or too large is problematic for your home. You may think that both options will save you some dollars, but in the long run, they bring negative effects. The following happens if your AC size is incorrect:
For Small Air Conditioners
If your AC is too small, it does not filter enough. It does not have the energy to get rid of all particles. Subsequently, the slow-moving air will not prevent moisture accumulation leading to rot and mildew.
Ensure that you have the right size for an AC. This will leave your house smelling, looking, and feeling fresh.
Large AC Units can Damage the Ducts
Buying a large AC for your house will put the vents and ducts under too much pressure. It will wrap, bend and break the vents leaving your AC in leaks and holes.
Subsequently, these leaks will result in moisture, mold, and musty smells.
8. Let your AC Dry Completely Before Assembling It Back
You’ll be in trouble if you do not let your AC completely dry before sealing it. Regardless of how clean your AC is, if it is not dry, all your work will be void. The moisture can bring molds if they are not dried up properly.
In the end, you will have musty smells from your AC due to the wetness. So, let your AC take all the time it needs to dry completely.
9. Use a Hygrometer
Employing a hygrometer to control the humidity is a perfect way of getting rid of musty smells in an AC. In some homes, their AC meters contain in-built hygrometers. They measure your air’s humidity.
To prevent moisture from promoting the growth of mold and mildew, reduce the humidity to 45%. It will hinder the growth of such elements, therefore preventing the emergence of the musty smell.
So, don’t keep worrying about how to get rid of the musty air conditioner smell! Curb it before it even starts, using a hygrometer. And if it’s already there, look for an HVAC expert to fix a hygrometer for you and solve the problem. The text was edited by the guys at Ghostwriter Deutschland.
