Every time I turn on the air conditioner (central air), the whole house smells. I'm not sure how to describe it, maybe like a sewer. I've walked around the house and every room smells the same. When the air conditioner isn't being used, the smell goes away. One more thing: every time the air conditoner shuts off, it makes a noise - like a clicking noise. Any ideas?
2007-04-09 16:13:18 · 7 answers · asked by Vickie 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If you have a basement drain, pour some water down it. The trap may be empty and sewage vapors are escaping.
2007-04-09 16:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by Angel G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE PROBLEM IS PROBABLY CAUSED BY NOT HAVING A TRAP IN THE EVAPORATOR DRAIN LINE. WHEN THE BLOWER STARTS IT SUCKS AIR INTO THAT DRAIN LINE AND IT MIXES WITH ALL THE SUPPLY AIR AND GOES TO ALL OF THE ROOMS. THE DRAIN LINE IS PROBABLY STUCK INTO A SEWER VENT PIPE THAT IS GOING DIRECTLY INTO THE SEWER LINE WHICH ALSO HAS NO TRAP. THE SIMPLE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO PUT A TRAP IN THE EVAPORATOR DRAIN LINE. THE CURRENT CODE REQUIRES THAT THE DRAIN LINE SHOULD BE RUN INTO A TRAPPED DRAIN SUCH AS A BATHROOM SINK. THAT WAY THE TRAP DOESN'T DRY OUT DURING THE HEATING SEASON. IF NOT DONE INTO A SINK TRAP THE SMELL WILL OCCUR DURING HEATING SEASON WHEN NO WATER IS PUT INTO THE TRAP BY THE AC.
2007-04-12 18:22:18 · answer #2 · answered by hghjsln 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be wondering if you got a rodent somewhere in your ducts that died like a mouse or something. Or possibly your air conditioner could be putting moisture into the ducts causing mold to grow in them. A dead rodent can smell almost exactly like a sewer.
2007-04-10 00:57:48 · answer #3 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your filter got wet. Take care of this problem immediately, as it is putting bacteria in the air!
The noise could be just a loose part. I would call a professional and have your AC serviced for the summer. Two birds with one stone kind of thing. Watch and ask questions.
2007-04-09 17:15:56 · answer #4 · answered by edjumacation 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this probably isn't your issue but the diynetwork has a finder fixer show and the couple on the show had the exact same complaint.. it turned out that they had a return duct in their crawl space along with a leaking drain pipe.. so the duct ended up getting nasty stagnant smelly water in it from the leaking pipe.. the stink was pulled in by the ac going on and stunk up the whole house..
2007-04-09 18:04:00 · answer #5 · answered by MrFava 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would check your air conditioning source, like the furnace. Maybe there's something in it, like a dead animal. For now, though, I would use an air freshener. If you can't find anything wrong, I would definitely get a technician out to help you.
2007-04-09 16:21:08 · answer #6 · answered by Lauren 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you could use a good duct cleaning and an antibacterial light in your ducts.
2007-04-09 17:18:08 · answer #7 · answered by daniel a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋