How to remove an unpleasant smell from the air conditioner? How to eliminate the unpleasant smell from the air conditioner in the apartment? The smell from the air conditioner in the apartment causes

It happens that all the benefits of using an air conditioner are nullified as soon as an unpleasant smell from the air conditioner spreads in your house or apartment. In addition, a similar problem can happen to a car owner who recently purchased an air conditioner and is now thinking about returning the device back to the store. Do not rush to panic, you can get rid of the unpleasant irritating smell of the air conditioner without much difficulty.

Even if the split system is regularly cleaned, there is a risk of stench in the room, which can even be very dangerous for the residents of the house.

What does it depend on? There are several key points that contribute to the release of unpleasant odors from the air conditioner:

Before trying to eliminate an unpleasant smell in the air conditioner, find out the cause of the problem. And only after that proceed with the repair.

Video "Cleaning and prevention of pollution"

From the video you will learn how to clean the air conditioner from unpleasant odors and dirt.

How to remove

How to get rid of the strong smell of the air conditioner? Drying is the best option. It is possible that such a function is not available if you purchased the split system a long time ago. As for modern models, they are usually equipped with this advantage. What exactly does the dehumidification function imply? This is an opportunity to leave the fan on for a while after the final shutdown of the air conditioner itself. What is remarkable about this characteristic? Its use allows you to thoroughly dry the evaporator and, accordingly, independently eliminate unpleasant odors.

If such a function is not provided in your split system, then for sure you can simply activate the "ventilation" mode. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and the effect will be the same. Very often, the problem with the stench that the air conditioner exudes is formed due to the assumption of a number of errors during the installation of the system. Hence the stagnation of water and the aromas that irritate you. You can remove this kind of trouble only with a competent reinstallation of the drainage system.

Another effective way to eliminate unpleasant odors from the air conditioner is disinfection. To do this, you need to get professional cleaning products. There are a lot of universal preparations that allow you to clean both home and car air conditioners.

Air conditioner cleaning

How else can you eliminate the smell from the air conditioner in a house or apartment? It is necessary to get rid of the stench with complex measures. Such procedures are designed to clean the device of mold and dirt, as well as to disinfect key parts and dry them thoroughly. The difficulty lies in the fact that the split system must be disassembled for complex cleaning. And then it's up to you to decide whether to turn to professionals.

In general, all this must be done in several basic steps:

Cleaning the air conditioner at home is not difficult if you follow the key rules for disassembling the split system.

Replacement of filters and coatings

It is quite possible to remove a sharp and unpleasant odor if the filters are replaced in time. However, you need to know exactly which device is right for your specific situation.

There are several most common types of filters used in modern split systems:

Getting rid of unpleasant odors is an important step in ensuring the quality and uninterrupted operation of a cleaned split system. If the air conditioner malfunctions, the cause does not necessarily lie in a filter malfunction.

The safest thing to do is to go to a service center as soon as possible, where your device will be carefully checked and disinfected. However, in most cases, malfunctions in the functioning of any air conditioner can be fixed at home.

However, if you recently purchased a split system, but the stench has already spread throughout the apartment or private house, it is quite possible that the product was originally defective or made of low-quality plastic. In any case, it is necessary to ensure the full operation of the split system, because if fetid air currents spread in the room, you and your household will suffer first of all.

Video "How to remove"

From the video you will learn how to eliminate the smell from the air conditioner in the apartment.

A dirty evaporator is considered the main cause of an unpleasant smell from a car air conditioner. If it has not been washed for a long time, then bacteria that form on it may be the cause of the smell. After reading the post, you will learn how to fix it yourself at home.

Colonies of bacteria appear in the air conditioner device due to the constant circulation of cold and hot air. If after a long operation the air conditioner is turned off, cold air from the street enters its main part after active work. Such air creates condensate, which is removed through the drainage pipes, but already its appearance is enough to become a good place for the formation of bacteria.

They are the reason for the smell. Working while the car is driving, the air conditioner, namely its main part, the evaporator, heats up. After turning off the air conditioner, cold air from the street enters it. Interacting with the heated part, the air settles as moisture, as a result of which colonies of bacteria appear on it. The smell from them can be both weak and strong, but it always smells like the smell of a damp rag left for several days in a locked place.

This condensate of mold and bacteria makes itself felt, starting to smell the next time the air conditioner is turned on, filling the cabin with unpleasant humid and stale air. During the operation of the device, the air vents are dried, and direct access to neoplasms is opened, which are the cause of the smell.

Elimination with the help of chemistry

To solve the problem of stale air, at best, it is possible to properly operate the cooling device. By turning it off before stopping, you allow the system to air out, and already in the car park, your air conditioner will wait for the next turn on dry and clean. But this approach does not always solve the problem completely, and the minus of it is that you must sacrifice your comfort by not exploiting the capabilities of your car to the fullest.

Another way to get rid of colonies of harmful bacteria is to disinfect the interior on time or periodically, and most importantly, the air conditioner with an evaporator. Typically, bleach is used to disinfect taps and any other products. But for a car, this cleaning method is hardly suitable, although bleach is a very strong reagent, you will have to use it in a respirator or even a gas mask. Agree that there are more practical and convenient disinfection methods these days, and using chlorine to clean your vehicle's air vents is a bit of a misnomer.

The best option for flushing the vaporizer is a product that can be advised in any pharmacy or medical institution. Moreover, they are even used to disinfect medical devices. The tool is called cresol, it does not have a strong third-party smell, they clean instruments before surgery, medical gloves, and it kills a large number of bacteria of various types, including cholera. Cresol is the name of its main constituent agent, lysol, which is diluted with a soapy-oily liquid.

The disinfectant properties of cresol are very strong, and the reason is the active element phenol. It is the main ingredient in formulations that are used to disinfect vehicles. Professional cleaning of air conditioners in cars, hotels and educational institutions is carried out by professional means, which can sometimes be expensive. A package of such a product can last for a long time, and very little of this composition may be required to clean the air conditioning system of the machine.

Flushing the evaporator

Flushing the evaporator is carried out in several stages. These steps should be done in sequence, and the result is a completely new evaporator and air conditioning system that will not smell, and will fill the interior with clean, fresh air without staleness and bacteria.

1. First you need to buy a cleaning agent, namely Lysol. If it is not, then you can find any other composition containing this drug. You can also buy a concentrated liquid based on Lysol.
2. The composition is diluted in water in accordance with 1 to 100, and 300-400 milliliters of the product should be enough.
3. Pour the cleaning liquid into a bottle or spray bottle. Seal the sprayer bottle and add some essential oil - this way the work will be done simply and with the smell that you like.
4. We open the windows of the car and the hatch wide open - a constant supply of fresh air from the street is necessary for work.
5. We turn on the ignition, and with it the air conditioner and fan. We direct the air outlet nozzles to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe legs or face
6. A solution is sprayed into the air intake hole, it is advisable to do this not in a jet and not in large portions. But at the same time, you should not save money, because Lysol must get inside and fight bacteria. It is best to create large clouds of small drops of cleaning fluid.
7. By turning off the engine, we allow the solution to perform its task inside the air conditioning system.
8. After some time, we turn on the system again, and spray the rest of the solution inside the cabin. If all the steps are followed correctly, clean air will soon begin to circulate in the cabin again.

The frequency of use of the air conditioner directly affects the appearance of bacteria. Operating conditions in this matter play an important role. A dusty country road is much worse displayed on the state of the condenser than the urban appearance of smooth asphalt. And, of course, cleaning the condenser at the service greatly extends the service life and proper operation of the air conditioning system.

Since no one can tolerate an unpleasant smell, it is best to protect yourself from its appearance in advance. The result of the correct operation of the air conditioner will never bring trouble to the driver in the cabin. The first signs of its contamination are best removed immediately, and if you feel that soon your interior will be filled not with fragrances, but with stale air, a little prevention will not hurt. It is best to turn off the air conditioner while driving, namely, a couple of minutes before stopping. Ventilated with fresh air already without heating and cooling, the air conditioner will cool down by the time it stops, and there will be no problems the next time it is started. This approach will reduce the number of cleanings and extend the driving time with its use by several weeks or even a month.

Disinfection should be carried out with the doors open and even the hatch, because by ventilating the interior with the engine running, you will protect yourself from moisture residue and unpleasant odors.

Simultaneously with the cleaning of the heater, the entire volume of the body of your car is ventilated.
Re-disinfection is carried out inside the cabin. Thus, Lysol completely kills all bacteria, allowing you not to return to this problematic topic anymore. When spraying the solution into the air intakes, it is necessary to monitor its quantity. It is impossible to send a jet of solution into the air vents and at the same time it cannot be saved much. The solution must fully interact with the moisture and bacteria accumulated inside the air-cleaning system.

Video “We eliminate the unpleasant smell from the car air conditioner”

On the record, the motorist shows how to properly clean the air conditioner evaporator at home.

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.

During continuous operation, the condensate is drained through the drainage system. In the case when the device has not been turned on for a long time, part of the condensate remains inside and an ideal environment is created for the development of fungi and bacteria, because only heat and dampness are needed for their growth.

To avoid the accumulation of liquid, and therefore to deprive microorganisms of their habitat, install the device correctly. Errors during installation can lead to the formation of stagnation of the liquid, 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 cycle 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.

Filters also need to be cleaned in a timely manner, otherwise, if they become very dirty, they will no longer cope with their work, and an unpleasant smell will attack again and again. In the instructions, the manufacturer must prescribe after what time it is necessary to change or clean the filter.

Video: Cleaning the air conditioner with an unpleasant odor

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.

In contact with

An unpleasant smell from the air conditioner usually appears some time after the installation and operation of the air conditioner. This smell is sometimes so strong that it makes it impossible to use the split system, and nullifies all the benefits of using the air conditioner.

Car owners also suffer from odors - the smell from the air conditioner in the car is not so rare. First, let's look at the main causes of odors.

Causes of unpleasant odors from the air conditioner.

The accumulation of fungi and bacteria in the air conditioner.

The heat exchanger (evaporator) is located in the indoor unit of the air conditioner. During operation, its temperature is significantly lower than the air temperature, respectively, condensate always forms on it - moisture that flows into the pan, and from there it is removed through the drainage tubes. Dust and microorganisms are always present in the air, which, when in contact with condensate, form a nutrient medium and, in case of stagnation, actively multiply and “smell”

Drainage without siphons

If the condensate from the air conditioner is removed into the sewer, then this must be done only with the use of siphons, otherwise all odors from the sewer system will be sucked into the room. The use of pseudosiphons in the form of a bent tube is undesirable, since in this case leakage from air conditioners is possible. By the way, if you don’t use air conditioners for a long time, for example, out of season, water dries up in the siphons and odors begin to penetrate into the room, in this case you need to wait a bit until the condensate fills the volume of the siphon - after that, the penetration of odors will stop.

Accumulation of odors from the room

As you know, the air conditioner does not take air from the street, but recirculates room air (the exception is ducted air conditioners and some models of wall-mounted ones with air inflow), that is, they simply “circle” the air in the room. Therefore, if there is a source of aromatic substances in the apartment, then the air conditioner will gradually accumulate them and will itself be the source of these odors. The main source of such odors can be new furniture - it contains a lot of formaldehyde resins, as well as synthetics, various plastics and plastics.

Ways to eliminate odors from the air conditioner

Moisture dehumidification

In many modern models of air conditioners, a delay is provided for turning off the fan after turning off the air conditioner, thereby achieving dehumidification of the evaporator and preventing the formation of odors.

If your air conditioner does not have such a function, you can dehumidify it by manually turning on the ventilation mode for a few minutes.

With improper installation, places of stagnant water are sometimes formed, where a "microswamp" is obtained with all the ensuing consequences. In this case, it is possible to eliminate the smell only by altering the drainage system or, if moisture accumulates in the indoor unit, by installing it in a horizontal position.

Disinfection, antibacterial treatment of the air conditioner.

You can carry out antibacterial treatment with the help of professional products sold in specialized stores. You can also buy products for the treatment of car air conditioners at any auto shop (in principle, an auto air conditioner in this regard is absolutely no different from a room air conditioner). It is also advised to use medical disinfectants such as Lysol.

In this case, the evaporator is processed, the agent flows from it into the tray (bath) and further into the drainage system, successively disinfecting them. But sometimes this is not enough and you have to completely disassemble the air conditioner and disinfect all internal surfaces and the fan impeller.

I want to note right away that antibacterial treatment will give a short-term effect if all condensate stagnation is not eliminated.

Antibacterial filters and coatings for air conditioners

At the moment, there are many models of air conditioners that can independently effectively deal with harmful bacteria and odors, or at least reduce the likelihood of unpleasant odors. Let's analyze the types of filters used in these air conditioners.

Photocatalytic filter

Filters of this type use the ability of titanium dioxide to decompose any organic compounds into their constituent parts - water, carbon oxides and other substances harmless to humans under the influence of ultraviolet rays. Such a filter is able to absorb any odors of organic origin. At the same time, what is important, titanium dioxide itself (titanium white) is not polluted and not consumed during the purification process - this substance is only a catalyst, that is, an accelerator of the splitting process.

Such filters are offered by many well-known manufacturers of climate technology.

Plasma ionizer

This filter is a construction of metal plates, between which a voltage of several thousand volts is applied. When they enter between these plates, various fungi, viruses and bacteria are neutralized, and larger dust particles are electrified and stick to the plates. This type of filter system is much more efficient than standard filtration systems, and periodic replacement of filters in this system is not required.

Catechin is a powerful natural disinfectant found in tea leaves and other healing plants. Panasonic has patented a catechin-coated electrostatic filter. The mechanism of action of catechin is simple - viruses need to attach to a healthy cell, for this they use special spikes, and catechin envelops the viruses, preventing them from attaching. The effectiveness of this filter has been confirmed experimentally, after passing through it, 98% of viruses no longer pose a danger.

Wasabi filter

This filter uses the ability to destroy bacteria with substances derived from Japanese wasabi horseradish. Air conditioners with such filters are produced by the Japanese corporation General-Fujitsu.

Service specialists of the Masterholoda company use professional means for disinfection of air conditioners.

Antibacterial treatment of the air conditioner.

Air conditioner smell! What to do? How to fix? Co. when bad things happensmell when turning on the air conditioner,then all the advantages of using split systems are nullified. In search of the reason for the manifestation of an extraneous aroma, many users scold the brand manufacturer or the company that installed the equipment. But such a problem can happen to everyone sooner or later, regardless of the brand of equipment or the professionalism of the craftsmen. To avoid the situation whenair conditioner bad smellemits immediately after switching on, most manufacturers recommend cleaning the removable filters once every two weeks after installing the system and annually invite qualified craftsmen to clean / refuel the climate control equipment.

But first you need to determine what it smells like, because the reasonmildew smell, dampness, dust or urine can be completely different sources. Having excluded the development of mold in the bathroom, the presence of a dusty carpet on the wall / floor, as well as the antics of four-legged pets, you can safely call the service center master. Only a competent specialist will be able to identify the cause, clean the filters with high quality,indoor unit and completely remove air conditioner odor from your home. This will allow you to enjoy the freshness of clean air without extraneous, often foul-smelling impurities!

Why does the air conditioner smell bad after being turned on?

Often coming fromair conditioner bad smell appears within a couple of months. Sometimes the problem of foreign aromas occurs after a long break in the operation of the split system. Experts identify the following main reasons that when the equipment is turned on, the room is filledmildew smell, freon, vinegar, dust or burning:

• Accumulation of odors from the room. On the elements of equipment operating without air flow, aromatic pollution can accumulate, the source of which can be formaldehyde resins from new furniture, synthetics, plastic, plastic.
• Mold, bacteria. indoor unit with a heat exchanger serves as a favorable breeding ground for microorganisms, especially if the system has not been turned on for a long time.
• Dirty air filters. Moisture, dust, dirt, dust mites accumulate on them, which can be harmful to our health.
• Drainage without siphon. If the moisture is removed to the sewer, and not to the street, then all the aromas can be drawn into the room.
• Freon leak. If a chemical tint appears in the air, gas leakage must be excluded.

It is possible that the stench comes from the ventilation system of your home. In cracks, secluded corners of the house, colonies of microorganisms actively multiply. And when the split system is turned on, their growth is enhanced by moisture.

How to get rid of extraneous aroma from a split system?

In order for the fight against unpleasant air filling in the room to be successful, you need to follow the step-by-step instructions. It is necessary to carefully dry the possible places of stagnant water, where a "microswamp" is formed - a paradise for bacteria. And so that there is no morebad smell air conditioner it is better to install the indoor unit in a horizontal position or redo the drainage system. An important technique is antibacterial treatment using professional tools.
Disinfection by spraying destroys pathogenic bacteria, mold fungus. Sometimes it is necessary to treat all internal surfaces, the fan impeller with a special tool, which will require a complete disassembly of the equipment.

It is necessary to disinfect, clean the elements, and also disassemble the equipment after disconnecting it from the power supply. If you are not an expert in the maintenance of climate devices, then trust the assembly / disassembly and cleaning process to specialists who can find the cause andremove the smell from the air conditioner. And remember that regular and timely once every 6-12 months will help prevent an unpleasant situation. Qualified support of professionals guarantees the optimal functionality of the system. Prevention is always cheaper than cure!