Unpleasant smell from the air conditioner in the apartment: what to do?

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The main task of an air conditioner is to create a pleasant climate and ideal smell. But what to do when, instead of pleasant air, you get an unpleasant smell from the air conditioner? And that's putting it mildly. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the reasons for the appearance of a bad smell from the air conditioner and ways to remove it once and for all.

The air conditioner smells bad - the most popular problems among those who are looking for an answer in the search.

Yes, even after cleaning, a harmful and meticulous “nasty smell” may appear in the air conditioner. Let’s look, so to speak, “in the face of the enemy” - the main reasons:

• Bacteria and mold. The active growth of various “living creatures” in the form of fungus and even harmless bacteria can lead to the need to clean the air conditioner from the smell. To eliminate the problem, it is worth conducting a thorough analysis of the drainage and air conditioning systems.
• Dirty filters. One of the first reasons in the top “the air conditioner in the apartment stinks” is careless cleaning of the filters or you don’t clean them at all. Let’s say right away: if you don’t clean the system on time and as planned, not only will the air conditioner smell, you’ll even breathe only dust and dirt. The result is the appearance of allergies and respiratory problems.
• Antifreeze leak. Every foreign odor from the climate system must be promptly eliminated - even if the air conditioner does not stink. The cause of the “chemical” component of the strange smell is antifreeze leaking into the device.
• Other moments. There is a high probability that the culprit is not the smell from the air conditioner in the apartment, but the general ventilation system. The older the house (especially for Khrushchev-era buildings), the more bedbugs and other harmful microorganisms have been living inside your walls and floors for a long time. Their reproduction provokes not only problems with the air conditioner, but also with all kitchen equipment. Growth begins actively even after the device is turned on, as the air is even more saturated with moisture. As a result, the air conditioner smells damp.

Why is the smell harmful when you turn on the air conditioner?

The most common reason why a split system emits unusual odors is that the device has not been used for a long period of time (for example, the winter season). While the installation was not working, all sorts of microbes and bacteria actively accumulated in it. Therefore, after the first connection, a damp smell may appear from the air conditioner.

Such unusual odors not only cause discomfort, but are also harmful to health. Injected air can provoke not only existing chronic diseases, but also new ones. This is especially true for people suffering from allergies to wool, dust, asthma and other respiratory system disorders.

A split system is especially dangerous in places where a huge number of people accumulate (shops, shopping centers, etc.). Due to the fact that someone did not take care of timely cleaning of the air conditioner, both adults and children can suffer. And this is on a scale of thousands of people every day.

What to do if the smell from the air conditioner in the apartment does not disappear

It's time to get down to business and put this house in order. Some manipulations do not require the intervention of professionals, but can be easily done by the average person. So what can you do:

1. Clean the indoor unit. In winter, when the air conditioner is “idle,” a million different bacteria and dust accumulate inside. To remove the smell from the air conditioner, remove the cover of the device and check the internal components with a flashlight. Then gently wipe the entire surface with a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner. If you want a dramatic effect, add antiseptics when cleaning. After cleaning, run the air conditioner in fan mode so that all the moisture after cleaning evaporates.
2. Cleaning the drainage. To eliminate the smell of the air conditioner, disconnect the drain hose from the housing and wash it inside with detergents. You can also look for the wire and walk along the inside of the tube. Wait until the hose is completely dry before reinstalling the part.
3. Working with filtration systems. One of the most effective ways to “remove odor from an air conditioner” is scheduled cleaning and filter replacement. In some devices, it is enough to wash the grilles under soapy water, while others require the purchase of new spare parts. Look in the instructions for your device - it always describes the procedure for replacing filters.

Important: before carrying out any manipulations, be sure to disconnect the unit from the network! Otherwise, not only will you not clean the unit, but you will also end up in the hospital for a month or two. There's no use for air conditioning there either.

When you turn on the air conditioner, a smell appears - the most “recognizable” of them

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As we said earlier, even the highest quality split system, if neglected, can release a whole range of odors throughout the apartment: from dampness to sewage. Let's tell you about the three most popular:

1. Burnt. Problems with wiring or overheating of the split system. As soon as uncharacteristic odors appear, quickly unplug the device and call a specialist. Only an experienced person can inspect your equipment, perform repairs, and replace damaged parts.
2. Synthetic or plastic. The smell is especially popular in cheap devices. Indicates poor-quality assembly of the housing, the material of which gives off chemical odors. The solution is to pass by cheap and “attractive-looking” devices that only seem to be of high quality, but in reality you know.
3. Dampness, mold. The main factor is the accumulation of microorganisms. The problem is easily eliminated - with antifungal agents. To prevent this from happening, just wash your climate control system often.

Now if some unusual smell scares you, you will know what to do. If you know another solution or reason why the air conditioner smells like dust, share with our readers in the comments!