The central a/c in my 4 y/o detached home has suddenly started smelling like an ash tray or wet cardboard?
Question:I can't exactly identify the smell, however, it comes from basically all of the vents (up and down) and I cannot stand it. Worst of all, my husband can't smell it!! I am very sensitive when it come to smells, but I know that something is not right here. I cannot even sleep because the smell is so bad. I am concerned about my dog with his extremely sensitive nose. I have been airing out my house today even though the temp is in the high 80's and very humid here in Charlotte. We have looked under the house in the crawl space and in the attic. Neither place has the smell I am referring to. The filters were replaced this weekend. The smell started gradually over the past week or so, but it has become unbearable (at least for me) the past 2 days. Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated!!
Answers:
I would check all of your vents first. You could have dropped something into them unnoticed or an animal seeking to get into your house (mouse rat) could have died in the duct work recently. Since it is very hot in Charlotte the animal could have started to decompose and begin to smell worse over the last week. This could have happened in the duct work or your airconditioner.
You should probably call a professional to check your duct work or your air conditioner.
I would call the HVAC people. How old is your system unit, maybe that has something to do with it.
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