How to Make Air From Air Ducts Smell Better

The smell of a baking cookies wafting through the air ducts of your house is enticing. The stale smell of spaghetti from three nights ago is not. There are many reasons why the air in your air ducts may not smell fresh. The majority of them are fixable by the homeowner. With some careful home maintenance, you can improve the air quality in your home and prevent malodorous air in the future.

Rake
Garden hose
Screwdriver
Air filter
Baking soda

Instructions

- 1
  
  Keep air conditioners clear to prevent mold and mildew.
  
  Remove any plants growing near the air intake vents of the outdoor air compressor and clear away any leaves or grass clippings. Plants and plant materials near the unit will grow mold, causing a musty smell.
- 2
  
  Spray the air conditioning unit inside as well as outside.
  
  Unplug the outdoor unit or shut off the power supply and spray down the outdoor unit with a garden hose. Remove the outer covering and spray the inside to clear away and dust or debris clogging the unit. A vaguely burnt smell in the home may come from smoldering leaves inside the unit.
- 3
  Change your air filters every one to three months. Cooking smells and pet odors can permeate the filter fibers, spreading stale or unpleasant smells throughout the home.
- 4
  Check the evaporator pan of your indoor air conditioning unit. If the drain pain has become clogged or tilted so that it cannot drain, the water in the pan will become stagnant. In addition to musty odor, you may notice increased humidity levels in the home, most likely manifested as increased mold growth in the kitchen, bathroom or around windows.
- 5
  
  Inspect flexible ductwork for signs of animal chewing, water damage and punctures.
  
  Check any exposed air ducts in your attic or crawl space. Look for gaps in joints of metal ducts or tears in flexible duct work. Stagnant air from the attic may be leaking into your duct work system, causing a dusty or moldy smell. Contact a HVAC professional to make repairs.
- 6
  
  Do not place anything in front of or near a return air vent.
  
  Look for air return vents near garbage cans, dog beds, pet crates or litter boxes. If any of these are near a return vent, the odors would be pulled throughout the home.
- 7
  Place a box of baking soda near your main intake or return vents. The baking soda will absorb moisture and odors, reducing musty smells and helping to reduce the spread of household odors.
- 8
  
  Call a HVAC professional who specializes in air duct cleaning.
  
  Contact a HVAC professional if you cannot locate the source of the smell or if the smell does not improve. You may have a dead mouse or mold in the duct work that will need to be removed and professionally cleaned.

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