A Smelly Air Conditioner Can Also Be Dangerous For Your Health

An air conditioner giving out a foul smell not only makes your life unpleasant but it can also be dangerous for your health. Not only is the foul smell unpleasant, in some cases it can also be due to something which can grow into a bigger problem if not corrected in time.

There can be many causes of foul smell. It is recommended to get your air conditioner checked from an experienced air conditioning service company to get rid of the pungent smell. We discuss below some of the causes which can result in your air conditioner giving foul odour.

Air Conditioner Capacity
If you have an air conditioner which is either too large or too small for your room, it can result in foul smell. This is especially true in case of air-conditioners which are far bigger for the size of the room. Normally, one tonne air conditioner is sufficient to cool down an area of 600 ft.² to 800 ft.². If you have a bigger air conditioner, it can result in chilling down the air too quickly without dehumidifying the air to right extent. The excess water in the cool air is the perfect breeding ground for mould and bacteria. 

Growth of mould in your room is not only a health hazard but is also an unpleasant sight. This mould can also grow on your clothes, if rectifying measures are not taken in time. Mould on clothes can result in skin problems. Mould can also grow on curtains and can be a health hazard, especially for small children. To know the right size of air conditioner for your room, get the opinion of a professional. If the size of the aircon is right, there can be other causes for smelly air conditioner which are discussed below.

Clogged Water Drain
One of the most common causes of air conditioning given out foul smell is the clogging of water drainage system in air conditioners. Over time, dirt and grime particles keep getting deposited in the water pipe. These dirt and grime particles along with the water present in the condenser combine to form a smelly mixture.

This combination also results in growth of bacteria and mould within the condenser coil. This growth of bacteria and mould is not only bad for your health but also results in a foul smell. The water drainage clogging can be checked easily by inspecting the water pipe. However, cleaning the clogged pipe is not easy as sometimes it required special chemicals to get rid of the build-up in the water pipe. A professional can thoroughly check the water drainage system and clear any build-up of bacteria and mould in the water drainage system.

Dirty Chambers, Filters and Grilles
If there is dirt sitting on the grilles, filters, and chambers, this can also give rise to the growth of bacteria and mold. Fortunately, this can be cleaned easily with the help of a toothbrush and some warm soapy water.

Scrubbing the filters and grails with the help of a toothbrush soaked in warm water will remove all the dirt collected in these places. However, care needs to be taken that these parts are cleaned regularly as it can become a big problem if dirt reaches the condensation chamber. Air filters should also be replaced regularly to keep the air quality clean.

Dead Animal in Air Conditioners
A small animal might have squeezed in to the drain pipe or through some other hole present in the air conditioner. If the animal dies inside air conditioner, it will start giving a very foul smell. Also, the growth of bacteria on the dead body can be a health hazard. In case, you come across a dead animal in your air conditioner, call for a professional from a servicing company to clean the air conditioner thoroughly.

If you want temporary relief from the foul smell, there are many air freshener sprays available in the market to get rid of the foul smell. However, air fresheners should be used only as a temporary measure. You need to get the unit checked at the earliest to isolate and remove the root cause of the foul smell.

It is important to remember that bad odours can turn into a big health hazard, if not taken care of quickly. For best results from your air conditioner, it is recommended to get it checked and serviced by a professional on an annual basis.

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