You’ve just bought a new house, and everything seems perfect – that is, until you turn on the air conditioner. You instantly notice a cigarette smell coming from your AC, but it’s the middle of summer. You can’t just turn it off.
It’s not an uncommon problem, but if you’re a nonsmoker, it’s the last thing you want to smell. Cigarettes can leave behind toxins that get on your clothes and impact your lungs. How do you remove the cigarette smell from an AC? Is it possible to get rid of the smell without getting an entirely new system? What tools will you need for the job?
5 Steps for Removing the Cigarette Smell from Your AC
Materials
Before you get started, you need the following items:
- Rag or washcloth
- Soap
- Water
- Air Filter
- Air Freshener
Directions
For a Wall Unit
Step 1. Unplug the AC. Make sure your unit is off, and then unplug the wall unit.
Step 2. Clean the air filter. Open the grill and remove the air filter. Using soap and warm water, gently clean the air filter. Set it aside to dry. In some cases, your air filter may need to be replaced.
Step 3. Clean the fins and coils. Using the manufacturer’s instructions, clean the fins, coils, and areas around the unit. Begin by removing excess dust and dirt with a dry rag or washcloth, then use a wet rag or washcloth to remove stubborn dirt and grime. Use a dry rag or washcloth to dry the fins, coils, and area around the unit, or give them time to dry on their own.
Step 4. Spray air freshener on the filter. Before replacing your air filter, spray it with air freshener to help mask the odor until the cigarette smell dissipates.
Step 5. Run the AC. Put your air conditioner back together and plug it in. Turn it on and run the air conditioner to help clean it out. Run your AC for ten minutes to an hour to eliminate any lingering cigarette smell – you may want to leave the house while doing this.
For a Central Air Unit
Step 1. Turn off the AC. Turn off the air conditioning unit and make sure it’s not blowing air before proceeding.
Step 2. Clean or change the air filter. Remove the air filter. If you’ve recently replaced your air filter, use soap and warm water to clean it. Set it aside to dry. You can use an air dryer in its lowest setting to speed up the process. Do not reinstall the filter before it’s fully dry, as doing so could lead to mold growth. If your air filter is a month old or older, simply replace it with a new one.
Step 3. Clean the unit. Using a wet washcloth, clean the dirt and debris from the chambers and area around the filter.
Step 4. Spray air freshener on the filter. Before replacing your air filter, spray it with air freshener to help mask the odor until the cigarette smell dissipates.
Step 5. Run the AC. Put your air conditioner back together and turn it on. Run your AC for ten minutes to an hour to eliminate any lingering cigarette smell – you may want to leave the house while doing this.
Colman Professional AC Maintenance and Repair
If you’re having trouble removing the cigarette smell from your AC, Colman Heating and Air is here to help. We have a full team of technicians responsible for taking care of your needs. Contact us or schedule a service call today!
24-HR Emergency Service: (321) 269-4565
