When you turn on the central air conditioner, it not only cools your home but also creates a pleasant outdoor climate. But what happens when that’s no longer possible? Your central air smells like cat pee and you can’t figure out why.
It’s tough, especially for small-scale homeowners who aren’t experts on their own AC units. But don’t worry; that’s why we’re here with a simple guide about how to get rid of that awful smell in your central air conditioner so you never have to worry about it again.
If you follow these instructions, your central air conditioner will be fixed and smell like old-fashioned AC rather than a cat pee.
- Why Does My Central Air Conditioner Smell Like Cat Pee?
- Is It Safe To Breathe In Air from AC That Smells Like Cat Pee?
- What are the possible reasons for a central air conditioner smelling like cat pee?
- How Do You Get Cat Urine Smell Out Of Central Air Conditioner
- How often should I have my central air conditioner serviced?
- How can I find a qualified technician to service my central air conditioner?
Why Does My Central Air Conditioner Smell Like Cat Pee?
There are a few reasons why your central air conditioner might smell like cat pee. One possibility is that mycotoxins are the cause of the smell. Mycotoxins are toxins produced by mold and can spread through air conditioning or ductwork.
If you think this might be the case, it’s important to have an HVAC professional inspect your system to determine the source of the smell and take appropriate steps to address it.
If you have a pet that urinates inside, the chances of mold growth increase. The more excessive water retained inside your ventilation system, the stronger the cat pee smell. Another possibility is that there could be a small animal living in your air conditioner or ductwork. If you have an unused room in your house, make sure to check it for any signs of animals before ruling this out.
Is It Safe To Breathe In Air from AC That Smells Like Cat Pee?
No, it is not safe to breathe in air that smells like cat pee. If you have an appointment at the dealership scheduled a few days or so away, you should not experience any major health problems by continuing to drive the vehicle until then.
The most common effect of the smell of cat pee in a car or home is the psychological impact on the occupants.
What are the possible reasons for a central air conditioner smelling like cat pee?
Mold Growth In the AC
Mold and bacteria can build up inside an air conditioner if it is poorly maintained. The AC unit sucks in polluted air from the room, which includes pollutants from the person living in the home. The AC unit doesn’t dry out the air enough, which allows mold and bacteria to grow.
Refrigerant Leakage
A refrigerant leak in your central air conditioner can cause it to smell like cat pee. The most common signs of a refrigerant leak are:
- High energy bills,
- Difficulty keeping your house cool or achieving your programmed temperature, and
- Ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to call an HVAC technician to come and check your system. If a refrigerant leak is left unrepaired, it can cause serious damage to your air conditioner.
Dead Insects in the AC
One possible reason for a central air conditioner smelling like cat pee is that dead insects have been trapped in the AC system. Over time, these insects can build up and cause a foul smell.
Another possible reason for a central air conditioner smelling like cat pee is that the AC fan box has brought out the smell of the system as the engine compartment has the carcasses of animals such as mice and lizards dead inside. The bad smell of the AC can also be rooted in urine or animal feces.
A Cat might have urinated on your carpet
If you have a strong ammonia smell coming from your central air conditioner, it’s possible that there is mold growing inside the unit or ductwork. This can be a serious problem, as mold can cause health problems for you and your family.
Another possibility is that a cat has urinated on your carpet. Cats often urinate on carpets to mark their territory. If you have a cat, check to see if there is any urine on the carpet. If so, you’ll need to clean it up to get rid of the smell.
Poor Air Conditioner Maintenance
If you have a central air conditioner, you may have noticed that it occasionally starts to smell like cat pee. This is usually due to poor maintenance of the unit.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your AC unit is to regularly clean the filter. If you neglect to do this, the filter will become clogged with dirt and dust. This will cause the AC to start blowing out dirty air, which will eventually start to smell bad.
Another reason your AC may start to smell like cat pee is if you do any kind of home renovation that kicks up a lot of dust. This dust can cling to the evaporator coils and accumulate over time. Eventually, this will lead to mold build-up.
If you notice your AC unit starting to smell musty, it’s important to have the coils cleaned as soon as possible.
How Do You Get Cat Urine Smell Out Of Central Air Conditioner
Invest in a Quality Filter
If you want to get rid of the cat urine smell in your central air conditioner, you need to install a quality filter. This will help catch skin flakes in the air before they have a chance to clog the system.
Regular maintenance and repair of air conditioners will also help this system operate more efficiently and last longer.
If you use your AC frequently, you should try to carry out a periodic inspection every six months.
Potty-Train Your Cat
One of the worst things about living in an apartment with a central air conditioning system is that sometimes it might smell like cat urine. The reason for this can be attributed to your feline family member’s natural tendency to use the litter box.
The first step in getting rid of this smell is to clean out your cat’s litter box every day, or at least as many times a day as possible.
Check For Refrigerant Leaks
The first step in getting rid of a cat urine smell in your central air conditioner is to check for refrigerant leaks. You can do this by checking for signs of a leak, such as bubbling or hissing sounds when your air conditioner runs, ice crystals on refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil, and high energy bills.
If you find a leak, the next step is to replace your unit. Older units are more likely to experience a refrigerant leak and may need to be replaced.
Get Rid of Mold in your home
If you think that you might have been exposed to mold inside your home which is one of the pure causes of cat pee smell from your central AC unit, there are a few symptoms to keep track of. These include:
- Dust, soil, dirt, bacteria, and germs combine with the steam on the AC evaporator to accumulate and become trapped everywhere in the vehicle, especially in the evaporator.
- Mold meets damp steam that grows and spreads, causing an unpleasant odor when turning on the AC.
- Over a long period, mold will gradually develop, causing unpleasant odors.
- To get rid of mold in your home, it’s important to identify the source of the problem. Once you’ve located the source, you can then take steps to clean up the mold and prevent it from returning.
Occasional Air Conditioner Servicing
Your air conditioner works hard to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long. Over time, this can lead to the build-up of dust, dirt, and other debris. This can cause your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to, which can lead to increased energy bills.
One way to help keep your air conditioner running efficiently is to have it serviced at the beginning of summer. This will help to remove any build-up that has occurred over the winter months.
Another way to help keep your air conditioner running efficiently is to make sure that it is not parked in damp conditions. Mold can develop in your home’s air conditioning system if it is parked in an area that is high in humidity.
If you notice that your air conditioner is not working as efficiently as it should be, or that it is dissipating odor, it is important to have it serviced as soon as possible. A professional air conditioner service company can fix any inefficient working or dissipate odor.
How often should I have my central air conditioner serviced?
A central air conditioner should be serviced every year in order to keep it running optimally. If there are any problems with the AC, a professional should be called to inspect and fix the issue.
How can I find a qualified technician to service my central air conditioner?
You can find a qualified technician to service your central air conditioner by calling a Heating and Cooling expert near you. They will be able to help you with any questions or concerns that you may have. Disinfecting the AC system can help keep the mold, mildew, and bacteria-free. A little Lysol/cleaner spray will go a long way when it comes to disinfecting products.
