TOP 10 methods to get rid of unpleasant odors from an air conditioner in an apartment
Unpleasant odors from the air conditioner indicate that this unit is not working properly. Various reasons can cause a violation, including damage or poor quality care. To solve the problem, you need to correctly establish the provoking factor.
Reasons for the appearance
There are a number of reasons that are responsible for the unpleasant smell when the air conditioner is working. You can fix the problem yourself or use professional help. It is necessary to understand that the disturbed operation of the device negatively affects health, so you should not postpone diagnostics and repairs to a remote box.
Long break from work
The first and most common problem faced by air conditioner users is long breaks in use. Often this device is turned on only in the summer, which increases the risk of unpleasant odors.
To get rid of the problem, you need to use the system more often.
Violation of rules of care
An unpleasant smell from the air conditioner also occurs as a result of violation of the rules for maintaining the device. In order not to face this problem, it is recommended to regularly disassemble, clean and flush the system. This process takes quite a long time, but the room will still be cool.
Untimely replacement of filters
If the filters are not replaced in time, this will also negatively affect the air conditioning of the room when using air conditioners. This procedure is carried out independently or you can use the services of specialists.
What is dangerous
During a long break in work, pathogens, mites accumulate and multiply in the air conditioner. Therefore, after turning on the system, an unpleasant smell appears, causing discomfort and deteriorating the quality of life. This smell can be harmful to health. Stale air provokes an exacerbation of chronic pathologies and disorders, the emergence of new ones.
First, it gets bad for those who are diagnosed with allergies, asthma, and lung disease.
An unpleasant smell should not appear in public places - supermarket, office, hospital. The current situation will negatively affect the condition of employees and visitors, especially children, and will also reduce the reputation of the institution. Therefore, when the first signs of a problem appear, you should immediately seek help.
What are
As soon as you start noticing extraneous aromas during the operation of the air conditioner, do not panic, you need to correctly determine the nature of the smell, since further actions and measures to rehabilitate the device depend on this.
Plastics
This smell is observed immediately after the first start-up of the device. Most often this happens with inexpensive models and does not always go away even after prolonged use. This is not considered a problem or malfunction.
Burnt insulation
If, when turning on the system, you smell burnt wiring, you should immediately disconnect the device from the network. In this situation, most likely, overheating of the wires has occurred, which can cause a fire and lead to a fire. It is imperative to call in a specialist. In order not to face such a serious problem, after which it is not always possible to repair the air conditioner, it is impossible to leave it plugged in, since drops in power are often observed.
Humidity
The damp smell is unpleasant. Bacteria and fungi growing inside the system can cause it to appear. This only happens if preventive measures are not taken. These organisms like a very humid environment and condensation always forms in the air conditioner, so there is a risk of development.
If the device works continuously, the excess liquid is drained. If the device has not been used for a long time, some of the condensation remains inside. To avoid high humidity, you must follow certain rules and recommendations:
- Install the device correctly.
- Apply preventive measures.
- Turn on the device regularly.
- At the first manifestations of malfunctions, ask the masters for additional advice.
If there is a problem, wash it well, disinfect it with antibacterial agents and dry the inside. Funds are purchased in specialized stores.They are sprayed at the point of air entry, affect organisms in the device and contribute to their death. If the case is neglected, the analysis and processing of the internal part is carried out.
Accumulation of smell in the apartment
The air conditioner takes air from the room. Therefore, if there is a source of unpleasant odors in the room, the device will accumulate aromas and in the future become a source of trouble. In most cases, plastic and plastic furniture, curtains, appliances and appliances accumulate odors.
Sanitation
The sewage smell spreading through the room from the air conditioner is caused by improper installation of the drain. If the liquid from the device is discharged into the sewer, it is recommended to install a siphon.
Basic disposal methods
The solution to the problem will depend on the provoking factor. If the cause is correctly established, it will not be difficult to eliminate the unpleasant odor.
Damp drying
When buying an air conditioner, it is recommended to pay attention to models that allow delaying the fan shutdown after the device is turned off. In this way, the evaporator is dehumidified and a humid environment and unpleasant odors are avoided.
If the air conditioner does not have such a function, then this procedure can be done independently. It is necessary to manually turn on the ventilation for 3-5 minutes, then turn off the device only. If the installation is incorrect, it will only be possible to get rid of the smell and dampness by reinstalling the system.
Treatment
It is recommended to clean the air conditioner regularly so that no dirt accumulates inside the unit.Particular attention is paid to hard-to-reach places - the evaporator, since fungi and bacteria most often accumulate there.
It is a tedious task that requires dismantling the dashboard, so without a good experience, nothing will work.
Specialists clean these areas with gas and foam. The method is not as effective as manual cleaning, but it helps to cope with unpleasant odors. The most common treatments are gas, foam, liquid antiseptic, and hand flushing.
Gas
For disinfection with this type of antiseptic to give the right result, prior preparation is necessary:
- inclusion of air circulation;
- an antiseptic cylinder is activated near the air intake hole and the room is closed for 10-15 minutes;
- ventilate the room.
This method is considered the simplest and least effective, so it should be understood that after some time of operation of the device, the smell will return.
Sparkling
In this case, a balloon filled with foam is used which must be dropped inside the device on the ventilation and air conditioning elements. Then the air conditioner turns on, from the heating of which the foam expands and gets into hard-to-reach places. It will settle within 15-20 minutes.
This method of treatment is considered more effective than the previous one. The agent enters the device, thereby killing the pathogens. But there are times when this method does not give the desired result.
Liquid
Special agents are used to treat the conditioner with liquid antiseptics. Do not use household chemicals, as they may damage the device.Special solutions help fight fungi and bacteria, do not damage the elements of the device.
Processing is carried out with a gun, special attention is paid to the duct channels and the air conditioning system. Agent vapors are drawn through the air inlet when the unit is turned on. The solution will be ineffective if you do not clean the inside of the air conditioner first.
Manual rinse
This method is considered the most effective in combating unpleasant odors. A complete dismantling and cleaning of the system is carried out. This will require professional help. The process will take a long time, but the guarantee of achieving the result will be 100%.
Installation of antibacterial filters
A universal solution to the problem is the installation of antibacterial filters. They help fight bad odors and pathogens.
Photocatalytic
A filter of this type is considered absolutely safe for humans. It absorbs all organic odors. It is based on titanium dioxide.
Plasma ionizer
The filter is represented by a structure of metal plates, the voltage between them is several thousand volts. A great advantage is that it does not require periodic replacement of internal filters.
catechin
The filters contain a natural antiseptic - catechin, which prevents viruses from adhering to the surface, as it envelops them. It is considered safe and effective.
Wasabi
The filter uses plant materials that disinfect the air and help fight against pathogenic microorganisms.
Rules of operation
The rules to follow in order not to face the problem of an unpleasant odor or other malfunction:
- Washing of mesh filters installed on top of the evaporator - once every six months.
- Rinsing the surface of the evaporator with antibacterial agents - once a month.
- Turbine cleaning before and after spring-summer operation.
- Drying the surface of the evaporator using the heating function - weekly for 20 minutes.
- Turn on fan mode for 5-10 minutes before turning off the device.
An unpleasant smell from the air conditioner is a problem faced by many users that requires an immediate solution. You can deal with it yourself or seek professional help.