It smells really bad for the first few minutes after I put it on. I cleaned the filter and the cover. It seems that the smell is coming out of the metal parts inside. It smells even if it's not on. Any ideas on how to clean it or at least what is causing it?
2006-10-03 07:50:54 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I would have an expert come out and check your unit..it may have worn parts that are beginning to burn or there may be standing water that has started to stagnate.
2006-10-03 07:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by Twila G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The coils that cool your air condense water out of the air as it blows over them. This condensation drips down into a pan and should get routed either outside or in some cases to the sewer.
It is typical for these drains to grow mold and mildew and for the drains to get stopped up. You can clean the drains yourself. I use a wet vacuum on the outside to suck the muck out of the drain line. Then, you can spray a mixture of water and bleach on the coils, let that drip down into the drain pan to kill the mold and mildew. Don't run your system for 10 minutes while your doing this. You may have to do this application more than once to get rid of all the smell, but you should do it on different days.
2006-10-03 11:10:19 · answer #2 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually when an AC smells it's because it is a swamp cooler and the resevoir needs to cleaned out. If it just an ordinary AC system you may not have the unit tilted enough to where it should be draining out and this exxess water inside is causing the smell. I would suggest to tilt it more and see what happens then.
2006-10-03 07:56:25 · answer #3 · answered by jessica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The condensation in the air conditioner is not draining properly, so water is gathering inside it - it's just a stinky, stagnant pool of water. Chances are that you just need to tilt it backwards a bit, so the water will run outside. Just take a little piece of wood or something, and prop up the front of the A/C so that the back of tilts downward outside. That should do the trick. You may need to let it run for awhile jsut to clear it out.
2006-10-03 07:56:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem may be growth of algae or mold in the pan in which condensation accumulates as it drips off the coils. If that is the case your pan may ultimately overflow when the growth prevents drainage by blocking the pipe which is attached to the pan. For immediate relief pour a little chlorine bleach in the pan and use narrow tool to unclog the opening to the pipe. You local hardware or big box sells bleach tablets designed to be placed in the pan as preventive against the growths. Remember to add a tablet periodically per package instructions.
2006-10-07 04:59:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would need to see the unit but it sounds like the coils may have dirt in them. If the filter was left dirty and the coils behind got dirty then damp they may have gotten mildew or mold growing on them. It could be that just dirt in the coils is what you smell. You would need to look behind the filter if you can to see if it is clean. If it isn't you would have to get someone who knows how to service this unit to take it apart and clean this area.
2006-10-03 07:58:56 · answer #6 · answered by redshoreslady 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is called dirty sock syndrome the cause is normally mold or other growth in the coil box , plenum and sometimes the entire duct system. many solutions exist usually a good cleaning of the ducts and fogging with mold killer spray, possibly correcting a coil drain problem and possible a p trap issue. dirty sock smell is different than sewer gas smell.
some solutions nclude using UVC lights to keep mold from growing, dehumidifiers to keep humidity below mold humidity levels. mold needs 50% RH to live. a good hones a/c man will know what is best for your problem
2006-10-05 12:35:33 · answer #7 · answered by The Must know man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible that you have condensation build up that is staying in the pan, resulting in a biological build up. The rotting of the biological, usually algae, would cause a foul odor. Usually the cause of such condensation staying in the unit is from the drain hole becoming plugged or the unit being unlevel so as not to allow the draining of all condensate.
2006-10-03 07:59:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you have is not uncommon around this time of year. The other posts are correct in that you have "growth" on the coil or in the air handler that stinks. If the unit is new, and still under warranty, you can talk to your dealer abou replacing the coil with one that is coated - and less likely to stink.
2006-10-06 14:25:09 · answer #9 · answered by Prof. Frink 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU DIDNT SAY WHAT TYPE A/C UNIT YOU HAVE
IN A WIDOW UNIT IT IS POSSIBLE TO TILT THE A/C BOX DOWN IN THE BACK SO THAT WATER WILL DRAIN MORE FREELY
IF IT IS A BIG WHOLE HOUSE UNIT CHECK TO SEE THAT THE DRAIN HOSE IS NOT CRIMPED OF PLUGGED CAUSING WATER TO BACK UP (WHICH CAUSES MOLD)
MANY TIMES THE CONDENSER OR EVAPORATOR UNIT WILL CLOG UP WITH DEBRIS AND STAY WET
IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO CLEAR THE **** OFF OF IT AND ALSO SPRAY IT WITH A COOLER CLEANER TO KILL THE ALLERGENS THAT YOU ARE BLOWING INTO YOUR HOUSE AND BREATHING
THERE ARE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS AT THE HARDWARE STORE
2006-10-03 08:14:44 · answer #10 · answered by John K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋