An effective air conditioning system is practically a must if you want your home to remain comfortable during the baking heat of the average Australian summer, and split system air conditioners are an excellent, efficient and highly popular choice for cooling residential properties. However, your split system isn't likely to make your home more comfortable if it smells like something died inside it while it runs.
Many people who run air conditioning systems, whether they are split systems or other configurations, are likely to encounter problems with unpleasant smells at some point. Fortunately, the problem that creates these foul odours can usually be diagnosed and rectified swiftly by an air conditioning repair service, such as Wise Choice Heating and Cooling, particularly if your chosen service specialises in split system repair work.
What causes bad smells in split system air conditioners, and how can the causes be fixed?
A foul-smelling split system air conditioner has a number of potential root causes:
Clogged air filters
Extensive filtration systems are a component in every split system and the filtration system is used to prevent solid matter such as fallen leaves, dust and insects from entering the system through the outdoor air intake valve. Since these filters catch so much biodegradable waste material, they need to be cleaned or replaced regularly, and a filter clogged with detritus can cause the cool air coming from your system to smell bad as the solid matter rots. You can attempt to clean or change a filter yourself if you are familiar with the process, but having it done professionally is always a safer bet.
Drainage system contamination
If clogged air filters aren't causing your smelly split system woes, the drainage system may be the culprit. This system funnels away excess moisture and condensation created by your air conditioner into a drain pan. If the collected water is allowed to sit for too long or becomes contaminated with solid matter, bacteria and fungi breeding within it can create a distinctive and decidedly unpleasant stench.
Emptying and cleaning the smelly drain pan, as well as the pipes that funnel water into it, should rectify this problem swiftly. However, the problem may reoccur if your split system is poorly adjusted, as improper cooling or airspeed settings can create excessive moisture. If you have your drainage system cleaned professionally, ask your chosen repair service to look at the split system's settings to see if the amount of waste condensation created can be reduced.
Refrigerant leaks
A more serious problem can be signified by a split system emitting a strong chemical stench. This can indicate a leak in the system's refrigerant pipes that is causing liquid refrigerant to drip into the ducts. An unchecked refrigerant leak can severely damage the internal components of your split system and can also pose a hazard to your health, so any split system creating this smell should be turned off immediately. Call in a split system repair service as soon as possible to repair the refrigerant leak and any other damage it may have caused.
Hello! My name is Jake. I am the kind of guy who finds out about a subject and then who must learn everything he can about it. A subject I have focused on in recent times is HVAC. This might seem a little strange. However, my interest was sparked when an HVAC contractor visited my home to install a new air con system. He was really friendly and he took the time to answer my questions. Since then, I have been doing everything I can to learn about HVAC. I hope you enjoy reading what I have written on my blog.