The smell from the air conditioner in the apartment: the main causes of unpleasant stench when turned on?

The air conditioner perfectly cleans and regulates the humidity of the air, creates a comfortable temperature regime in the room. But all its advantages are crossed out if, after switching on, the room is filled with an unpleasant, and sometimes unbearable smell. So that the air conditioner does not hang on the wall just for decoration, it is necessary to cure its “bad breath”.

Common Causes of Bad Air Conditioner Smell

The appearance of an unpleasant odor from the air conditioner can be due to several reasons:

• A long break in the operation of the device, for example, if the air conditioner is used only in the summer. Therefore, to reduce the risk of foreign odors, turn it on more often.
• Care needs are not being taken. It must be disassembled, cleaned, washed. Of course, this work is time-consuming, but with the right maintenance of the air conditioner, the air in the room will always be clean and fresh.
• Untimely replacement of filters also affects not the best way for the appearance of incomprehensible aromas. In this case, it is recommended to change the filters in time.

Smell when air conditioner is turned on

If, when you turn on the device, your nose catches odors, do not panic. It is necessary to identify what kind of “aroma” the air conditioner exudes:

The smell of plastic

Usually felt the first time you turn on a newly installed appliance. Cheap models often sin with this drawback. The odor disappears after a few days of use and is not considered an indication of a device malfunction. However, you should make sure that the plastic does not melt in the split system itself (usually in heating mode). This can happen when using low-quality plastic in the manufacture of air conditioners.

The smell of burning insulation

Did you smell burning when you turned it on? Unplug the appliance from the electrical outlet immediately. It is possible that the wiring has burned out, which can also lead to a fire. To solve this problem, call a specialist.

Putrid or damp smell

One of the common smells that causes inconvenience to most owners of air conditioners. The source of this odor is bacteria and molds that live inside the appliance. Since condensation always forms in the air conditioner — water, which is an ideal environment for the development of various microorganisms, the risk of odor is high.

To avoid accumulation of liquid, and therefore to deprive microorganisms of their habitat, install the device correctly. Errors during installation can lead to the formation of liquid stagnation, which is the impetus for the occurrence of stench. You can take the following steps to resolve the issue:

• If the air conditioner has been inactive for a long time, then before turning it on, it is necessary to rinse the inside of the device well from fungi, disinfect and dry it.
• Some models have a feature that reduces the risk of mold. It lies in the fact that the fan does not turn off immediately, but continues to work for some more time. Thus, the air conditioner itself gets rid of excess moisture inside.
• Disinfection with antibacterial agents. Antibacterial agents are purchased in specialized stores. It is sprayed in a place where air is taken for cooling. Together with the air flow, the droplets penetrate the drainage system and act on microorganisms. This is usually enough to kill bacteria and molds, and with them the putrid smell disappears.
• In the most neglected case, you will have to disassemble the device and disinfect the inside. If there is little experience in disassembling equipment, then it is better to call a master who will clean and process the air conditioner with you.

Environmental odor accumulation

Many air conditioners in some modes produce air intake not from the street, but from the room itself. Therefore, if there is a persistent smell in the apartment, then the air conditioner will blow out the same “flavored” air, the so-called “air circulation in a single apartment” is obtained.

Persistent and unpleasant odor emit:

• low-quality furniture containing formaldehyde resins;
• cigarette smoke;
• low quality plastic;
• some synthetics.

To get rid of the smell, you need to ventilate the room well. Do not use “strongly smelling” pieces of furniture in the house, and you should purchase antibacterial filters for the air conditioner.

sewer smell

The spread of the smell of sewage throughout the apartment from the air conditioner is facilitated by improper installation of the drain device. If the condensate is drained not into the street, but into the sewer, then a siphon must be installed. With a direct drain, pretty soon it will be possible to feel all the «charm» of sewer pipes. In this case, only reinstallation will help.

Installation of antibacterial filters

This is a universal way to solve problems with an unpleasant odor. There are several types of filters that help fight certain “aromas”, as well as a variety of microorganisms:

• photocatalytic. This filter is installed on almost all modern models of air conditioners. It absorbs any odors of organic origin. It contains titanium dioxide (titanium white), which accelerates the process of splitting organic substances. The white itself is not consumed, but only acts as a catalyst.
• Plasma ionizer. Perfectly disinfects the air from various pathogens: bacteria and viruses, detains dust particles. Air passes through metal plates between which a very high voltage passes, which guarantees not only protection against bacteria, but also against foreign odors.
• catechin. Antivirus filter. It uses catechin, a plant substance that has a powerful antibacterial effect. The record holders for the content of catechin are tea leaves;
• Wasabi. Another filter using vegetable raw materials. Japanese horseradish — wasabi — contains a substance that copes with pathogenic bacteria and disinfects the air.

Video: Cleaning the air conditioner with an unpleasant odor

In the next video, the author will tell you how to get rid of an unpleasant smell from an air conditioner if conventional methods do not help. You will clearly see how to disassemble the air conditioner for internal cleaning:

There are many reasons for the smell after turning on the air conditioner. But if you install it correctly, clean the filters, the inside of the air conditioner and the fan in time, then the risk of living in an apartment spoiled by unpleasant odors will decrease exponentially. Any appliance needs preventive maintenance, and the air conditioner is no exception.