A homeowner in Tyngsboro recently called our office concerned about a musty smell coming from his home’s vents when running the central air conditioner. It isn’t uncommon for a smell to come from the ductwork the first time the air conditioner is turned on for the year. However, what this homeowner was describing was well beyond this.
Musty Smell From The A/C Unit Could Mean Mold And Mildew
The most common culprit of a strong musty odor when running your air conditioning unit is mold and mildew. The air conditioner could be circulating the spores through the air, which can be harmful to your health and should be addressed immediately.
One of the most common culprits that can lead to a breeding ground for mold and mildew is a dirty evaporator coil. The combination of the dark area, warm air constantly blowing over the coil and condensation make this a problem when dirt and dust collect.
The cause of a musty odor can also be due to a clogged condensate drain. If the drain line gets clogged from dirt around the coil, the water can then back up into the drain pan. This gives all of the necessary agents to encourage mold growth.
Leaky air ducts may also be the cause. Air ducts leaking in a dirty, unused area of the home can quickly lead to mold growth. Turning on the air conditioning unit will then circulate these mold spores through the leaky duct.
For Healthy, Odor Free Air, Schedule Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance
An annual check-up of your air conditioning system at the start of the warm weather can head off these problems and correct them before they affect your family’s health. As for the homeowner in Tyngsboro, the smell was a result of a leaky air duct. We are able to correct the problem with a quick service call and now he and his family are breathing clean, odorless air.
The post What is the musty smell when I run my air conditioner? Appeared first on Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. – Nashua, NH.
