Your air conditioner doesn’t just cool your home — it also ensures you’re breathing clean, conditioned air. If you smell something strange when your air conditioner is on or see moisture around AC vents, it could indicate a leak that requires repair. It could also mean mold growth inside your air conditioner.
At QRC, we take your health and safety seriously. If you have water leaking from your AC vents, contact our experts for help. Our comprehensive heating and air conditioning services include finding the issue, fixing it, cleaning out your air conditioner, and getting it back in good working order as quickly as possible.
Why That Moldy Smell Needs Your Attention
There are a few reasons for an unpleasant, musty smell from your AC vents. It may indicate a clogged condensate line, a drain pan that needs cleaning, or frozen evaporator coils. These common AC issues cause water to pool or stagnate in or around the air conditioner.
Mold and mildew love a damp, dark environment and will grow in the ducts and body of the air conditioner, which then blow spores into the air you and your family breathe. Inhaling these spores and other particulates can cause health problems like persistent coughing, brain fog, dizziness, irritated eyes, and asthma-like symptoms like shortness of breath and lung irritation. A moldy smell could be a serious issue, so contact a professional from our team to fix the problem for you.
Signs of Mold in Your AC System
Some of the most common signs of moisture and mold in your air conditioner include:
- A moldy or musty smell when you turn the air conditioner on
- Poor air quality that causes sneezing, sore throat, or other health problems
- High humidity in your home
- Dripping vents or ceiling stains near vents
- Black dust accumulating around the air vents or visible green, black, brown, pink, white, orange, or yellow mold growing on or near the air conditioner
What an AC Repair Technician Will Do
If you call a QRC repair technician after seeing condensation on AC vents or smelling mold, they’ll inspect the air conditioner, find the cause of the problem, and disinfect the entire unit. Once they’re satisfied that everything is as it should be, they’ll test the air conditioner to make sure it works properly.
The Importance of Prompt AC Repair
Mold growth near AC vents or any issues with your AC leaking require prompt repairs so you can stop mold from growing and prevent damage to your home due to dripping or stagnant water.
While some cleaning and filter changes are possible to do on your own, contact a pro if you need air conditioner maintenance or repairs done in your home. We’re available year-round to fix or clean out your air conditioner and perform other HVAC services. We understand how it feels to experience a moldy air conditioner, and we’ll do all we can to get it pristine and working efficiently again at your earliest convenience.
Choosing a Qualified AC Repair Company
Some of the most important things to look for when choosing an AC repair company are:
- Qualified and experienced technicians who get the job done right the first time
- Comprehensive services, including helpful maintenance plans
- Excellent customer service and friendly techs who’ll answer your questions
- Good reviews and referrals
To stop issues like mold in your air conditioner or water damage near AC vents from happening, schedule regular AC tune-ups with QRC. An HVAC technician will give your entire air conditioner a once-over, cleaning and tweaking all components to make sure it’s ready for the summer.
Contact QRC for AC Repair
QRC is North Carolina’s trusted air conditioner service center. Contact us and we’ll help you determine whether it’s time to replace your air conditioner or if it just needs a repair or cleaning. Count on us to provide quality service every time. If you’re in our service area, contact us or use our online scheduling tool to make an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there moisture around my AC vents? Is it normal to have some moisture around AC vents?
It’s sometimes normal to have a small amount of condensation in your AC vents and ducts, especially on hot summer days. If you notice consistent or excessive moisture in or around your air conditioner, then there’s likely a problem. If you’re unsure, schedule an appointment for a QRC technician to have a look.
How can I figure out what’s causing the moisture around my AC vents? Are there any simple checks I can do myself to identify the issue?
Some steps to identify the issue include checking (and changing) the air conditioner’s air filter, making sure the vents are open and unblocked, and visually inspecting the air conditioner for obvious leaks. Otherwise, if you see water, mold, or water stains or smell a musty smell, it’s likely a job for a professional.
Could a dirty air filter cause moisture around my vents?
Yes. A dirty air filter could cause your air conditioner to work harder to cool your home, leading to excess condensation and “sweating” in your vents. This problem can become a big issue over time because impeded airflow may cause the evaporator coil temperature to drop and start to freeze.
What kind of repairs might be needed to fix the moisture problem?
It depends on where the moisture is coming from. For example, it could be a blocked drain, frozen coils, or a thermostat problem. Once the cause is determined, the HVAC technician can fix the issue and clean the air conditioner.