My window air conditioner smells bad when I first start it up Its only one year old only been used 3 months?
Question:Itt smelled a little the first time to Whats causes this and what can I do to stop it
Answers:
The evaporator coils are likely dirty. They tend to collect dust, dirt, mold, mildew, and other nasty stuff, which, when all are combined with condensation, will stink. Phew! So, then, at the start of the cooling season each year, before you begin to use it, remove the unit from the wall. Take it outside. Take a garden hose to it, and thoroughly flush the evaporator coils with water. You can also buy a foam spray in a can that is designed to provide extra cleaning power to evaporator coils. You can get it at stores like The Home Depot, or Lowes. This evaporator cleaner foam in a can, used along with the garden hose, will make your evaporator coil become extra clean, and then the bad smell will be all gone.
maybe it needs a new filter
This is one of the main problems with air conditioners.
Both,the evaporator (cooling fins) and filter should be cleaned regularly.
What you smell is stale dust,possibly mouldy that gives the bad smell.
Not only is it unpleasant,but if left,could possibly affect your health.Does Legionaires Disease ring a bell?
During cooling the evaporator gets cold and condensation forms on it.
Dust will then be caught in the moisture.
If the AC is switched off for a while,bacteria will grow in this
mixture very happily.
So now and then,spray the evaporator with a desinfectant or
antibacterial spray and clean or replace the filter.
Most likely it's mold...you can't smell dust. Give it a good cleaning and you'll be all set.
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