Your air conditioner is supposed to be the one thing that makes a hot summer day enjoyable. But if your AC smells more like feet than the great outdoors, you might avoid turning it on. Don’t let smelly air keep you from taking advantage of your unit this summer. Instead, here are a few of the most common places you can find mold — the number one cause of smelly air.
Mildew on the Evaporator Coils
When warm air passes through cold coils, water droplets begin to form around the coil. With enough time, that area becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
What to do: Because getting to your evaporator coil can require you to take apart your unit, we suggest calling a professional to clean it.
Mold in the Ductwork
Mold in your ductwork is usually caused by leaks in the duct or high levels of humidity in the house.
What to do: Just like reaching the evaporator coil, getting to the ductwork can require you to take apart your unit. If you’re not sure if you’ll be able to put it all back together at the end, you should call a professional.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Does a pool of water form below your unit while it’s running? If so, then you might have a clogged drain line. The condensate drain line is there to catch condensation that falls from the evaporator coil. But if it’s full of still water, mold and bacteria can quickly start to grow there, as well as on the evaporator coils.
What to do: Luckily, most homeowners can do this one themselves. For the most part, all you have to do is use a wet vacuum to clean the main drain line outside of your house.
A moldy unit doesn’t just cause your air to smell and your unit to work harder than it needs to, it’s also a major contributor to poor indoor air quality. At Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’re dedicated to providing you with top-notch air conditioning repairs, replacements, and cleanings, as well as air filtration and ultraviolet light air purification systems. For more information on our many services, give us a call at (901) 795-9044.