You turn on your air conditioner expecting comfort… and suddenly smell a strong, unpleasant odor in the room?
This is not normal and could be a warning sign. Besides affecting the appliance's performance, some odors can indicate health and safety risks.
Let's understand the main types of smells, what each one means, and how to solve the problem correctly.
1. Moldy or damp smell
This is the most common odor and usually appears when there is:
Dust buildup in the filters
Excessive humidity inside the equipment
Dirty coils
Condensate tray with stagnant water
📌 This humid environment favors fungi and bacteria.
✅ How to solve:
Wash the filters regularly
Check the water drainage
If the smell persists, perform a complete technical cleaning with bactericidal products specifically for air conditioners
2. Burning smell
This type of odor is a sign of danger and may indicate:
Poor contact wires
Overheated electrical components
Accumulated dust in parts that heat up
⚠️ What to do:
Turn off the appliance immediately
Do not turn it back on
Call a specialized technician
👉 Continuing to use it may cause a short circuit or even a fire.
3. Gas or chemical smell
If the smell resembles acetone, glue, or a chemical product, be careful. It could be:
Refrigerant gas leak (R-410A, R-22, among others)
Problems with connections or installation
❌ Never try to fix it yourself
Keep people away from the area
Turn off the equipment
Call a professional to locate and fix the leak
4. Smell of rot or dead animal
Although unpleasant, this happens more often than it seems, especially in poorly maintained areas.
This may indicate:
Insects or small animals trapped inside the unit
Dirt accumulated over long periods
✅ Solution:
Complete inspection
Deep internal cleaning performed by a professional
5. Cigarette smell
Environments with smokers cause the smell to become ingrained in:
Filters
Coils
Internal ducts
How to eliminate:
Perform a complete system cleaning
Use activated carbon or air purifiers in the environment
Important tips to avoid bad smells in the air conditioner
✔️ Clean the filters every 15 days
✔️ Perform technical sanitization every 6 months
✔️ Use the “Dry” mode to reduce humidity
✔️ Check if the condensed water is draining correctly
Conclusion
A strong smell in the air conditioner should never be ignored.
It could be something simple, like dirt, or something serious, like a gas leak or electrical problem.
Identifying the cause quickly ensures:
✅ Better health
✅ Increased safety
✅ Improved performance
✅ Longer equipment lifespan
If you notice any unusual odor, don't delay finding a solution. Your comfort and safety come first.
