Air Conditioning - Air smells a bit moldy

I noticed that the air coming out of the vents smelled kind of moldy, like how an old car's air comes out. I can tell because the air in teh house smells a bit moldy as well.

I got 5 houseplants because i read that they improve air quality, and that have quite a bit. But the moldy air still comes out.

I don't know how to fix this or who to get to fix it. I living in an appartment so i can't do it my self. What needs to be done to get the air to smell fresh and clean coming out of the vents?

I noticed that the air coming out of the vents smelled kind of moldy, like how an old car's air comes out. I can tell because the air in teh house smells a bit moldy as well.

I got 5 houseplants because i read that they improve air quality, and that have quite a bit. But the moldy air still comes out.

I don't know how to fix this or who to get to fix it. I living in an appartment so i can't do it my self. What needs to be done to get the air to smell fresh and clean coming out of the vents?


It is what I used to call the dirty sock smell. The indoor coils need to be cleaned. That should be done by a pro they have the chemicals that wil shine it right up.

It is what I used to call the dirty sock smell. The indoor coils need to be cleaned. That should be done by a pro they have the chemicals that wil shine it right up.

I just used a brush to clean all the dust and dirt off the coil fins (even though there is still alot left that i can't get). But something tells me this is mold that is inside the ducts, which can't be accessed easily.

I just used a brush to clean all the dust and dirt off the coil fins (even though there is still alot left that i can't get). But something tells me this is mold that is inside the ducts, which can't be accessed easily.

I think I would call in an AC guy to let you know. He should be able to tell if it is in your ducts. If it is then they can be cleaned also.

How? With some sort of spray? Or a really long pipecleaner?

Might check and clean the drain line. Spray down the AC coil inside with a 1/2 water and 1/2 clorox mix helps .
The filter clean????
ED;)

Check for air leaks in the return ducts. Check for water damage to the ducts or air handler itself. Check to see if ducts are insulated. Sometimes condensation forms inside ducts.

Run a dehumidifier and see if the odor goes away. Having ducts cleaned may help.

Check for air leaks in the return ducts. Check for water damage to the ducts or air handler itself. Check to see if ducts are insulated. Sometimes condensation forms inside ducts.

Run a dehumidifier and see if the odor goes away. Having ducts cleaned may help.

How exactly do i do this? I don't have a dehumidifer (i have a vaporizer, but that's the opposite) and don't want to pay for one just to test this...

This an apt complex with central air or window/wall unit?

http://i7.************/21b848m.jpg

It is a 1.5 ton central split system unit.

And the filter in that picture is old (see the date it says May 1st), and i have a new clean one in.

I would contact the landlord and ask them to have a dealer come out and clean the coil.

If that is the best option and you know it will get rid of the smell, then i will do it. I hope they know how to take out an evaporator coil...

Well i have told them, and they said the only thing that they can do is clean the ducts near the vents.

Will this help, or is it not worth it.

a cleaning by the vent is not going to help, they can go ahead and waste thier time/money on it. They need to call in a pro to clean the coil. I know the landlords are tight with thier money! :wall:

I figured. This really sucks, i dont want to have modly air in my house for too much longer.

I dont know if i can persuade them to do it though.