AC Smells Musty

When you turn on the air conditioner in your home, you naturally expect your home to cool down and feel more comfortable. On top of dealing with the oppressive Central Florida heat, oftentimes homeowners experience the issue that the AC smells musty. As a Florida homeowner, you want to ensure you and your family feel cool at all times, and that you’re not dealing with an AC that smells musty, like dirty socks or laundry.

While mold and mildew are two of the most common reasons that ACs can smell musty, many other things could be the cause of this. Central Florida is known for its regular rainstorms, which can make your home feel more moist as well. Keep reading as we share some of the top reasons that your AC smells musty and how our team can help you to resolve this issue.

The Top 8 Reasons Your AC Smells Musty

1. Mold or Mildew in the Air Ducts and Vents

Without a doubt, the most common reason we see for ACs smelling musty is that there is mold or mildew in the air ducts or vents. If you find there’s a strange odor as soon as you turn the AC on, this is a clear indication that something isn’t quite right. By keeping your AC on at all times on a low setting and using a UV filter, you can work to avoid this issue in the future.

2. Dirty Evaporator Coils

A dirty evaporator coil is another reason your AC smells musty, and it might be a breeding ground for mold. In order to avoid this issue, we recommend that you work with our team to have your AC system cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. A UV lamp can also help to stop this mold from growing in the first place.

3. Improper Unit Size

Each home or office requires a different AC unit size to ensure that you keep your space cool and fresh. When you have a unit that’s too large, it will pull in the fresh air too quickly and stop it from being properly dehumidified. A unit that is too small won’t cool off your space, which could lead to the AC smelling musty.

4. Clogged AC Drain Line

If your AC drain line is clogged, this can stop your home from being dehumidified. This is something that you’ll likely need a professional to identify, but from there, you can take the appropriate action and learn how to unclog your drain line.

5. Air Ducts are Punctured or Leaking

When the air ducts are punctured or have holes, you might find that your unit leaks and is more likely to grow mold. This then makes the environment more humid for the mold, which helps it to thrive and grow. Many homeowners don’t notice they are experiencing this issue, but the sooner you identify that your AC smells musty, the quicker our team can resolve the problem.

6. Drain Pan is Full

A full drain pan can lead to an unfortunate odor, which makes your AC smell musty. Make sure you don’t allow this to get too full by keeping an eye on its levels in the future.

7. Frozen Evaporator Coils

As well as dirty evaporator coils, frozen evaporator coils can cause a similar issue. Our team will be able to review your AC unit and see if anything is causing this issue in your home.

8. Clogged Filters

When your filters are clogged and dirty, it’s only natural that the unit will start to push out dirty and smelly air. Make sure you are changing your filters on a regular basis and that they aren’t trapping bacteria and mold in your unit.

Contact Complete Air Mechanical for AC Service in Central Florida

While some people prefer to DIY, others don’t. If you’re in the second category, we’re here to help you with your condensate drain line needs and any other AC maintenance you may have. Our family-owned and operated company has been offering assistance to Central Florida families since 1992, and we will be here to support you when you find your AC smells musty in the future.

Don’t let the fact that your AC smells musty put you off from having a cool and comfortable home, as we’ll be here to support you in resolving any of the issues we’ve shared above.

Call us today at (407) 915-0144 or schedule an appointment online.