Why Does My A/C Smell Bad?Many homeowners take advantage of window air conditioners to save money on electric bills, cool down areas of their homes that the central air unit doesn’t reach, or make their room cold enough to be able to use a blanket at night. A window air conditioner can be useful for all the reasons listed above, but when dust, water, and heat are combined, they provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth if no annual maintenance is performed. Where Did That Mildew Smell Come From?There are several possible reasons for that musty stink: Window air conditioners have a drip tray that is a necessary component of the system. This collection of water, along with heat and dust, allow for some pretty nasty “muck” to collect over time. The smell associated with this stuff is best described as being sour, moldy, or mildewy. If there's a drainage problem, water may have pooled and mildew may have grown on the filter, condenser coil, or somewhere else inside.

If the mold is black (Stachybotrys), it's toxic, and you'll want to get rid of it as quickly and thoroughly as possible. I've outlined some steps below that people take to remove the smell, but it’s always best to refer to any literature that came with the window air conditioner at the time of purchase. WARNING: Most window units are pressurized systems and have a charged capacitor that could cause a shock, so at no time should a homeowner remove anything other than the case, which exposes the internal components of the window air unit. Doing anything other than removing the case may result in personal injury. Seven Steps to Get Your AC Smelling Right Step One: Remove the Case from the UnitOn smaller window air conditioners, remove the outer metal case of the unit. This should expose the coils, fan, and compressor. In a larger unit, after the front plastic and a few screws are removed, the air conditioner will slide out of the case toward the inside of the room. Be careful not to damage the metal fins on the front and rear of the unit.

These are made from aluminum and will bend easily. Step Two: Take It OutsideChoose a location outside where a hose can be used, such as a driveway. Place the window air conditioner on something secure such as a couple of saw horses or a secure table of some kind. The table or saw horses will be exposed to water and bleach, so choose something appropriate for this task. For larger air conditioners, an assistant may be required to lift the unit. Step Three: Remove DustBlow the unit off with compressed air from a distance sufficient to remove dust and debris, but be careful not to damage any components or blow too hard on the aluminum fins. Wipe off any surface dust or debris with a damp cloth. Step Four: Clean the Fins Using a soft brush such as the type used to remove lint from a dryer vent, stroke the fins up and down to remove debris caked on to the front and rear of the air conditioning unit. Step Five: Clean the Vent and BlowerFill a spray bottle approximately ¼ full of bleach and fill the rest with water.

Spray directly into the area where the cool air blows out of the air conditioner. Be sure to get plenty of the solution into the blower fan while turning it slowly. Once the bottle is empty, refill with water and spray in the same area.portable jump-start/air compressor with ac & dc power outlets The goal here is to clean the area with bleach and water, then flush the bleach out with water.jeep wrangler ac drain Step Six: Flush Tray With WaterUsing a hose, flush all the muck and debris out of the drip tray. qvc ac unitDo not spray in the tray. The goal here is to use enough water to flush out the debris, but not to use much pressure. Pressurized water will damage the window air conditioner components. Flushing for several minutes is usually enough to sufficiently clean things up.

Step Seven: Let It Dry Allow the unit to dry for a few hours. Inspect it closely for any damage or debris. Wipe up any remaining water with a dry cloth and wipe down any surfaces that still need cleaning. Step Eight: ReassembleReassemble the case in the reverse order and slide unit back into the case that it was removed from. This should be enough to remove the smell from the window air conditioner. These steps should be taken at the end of every warm season. The window unit should be stored in a clean, dry location over the cool fall and winter months. What best describes the smell when you turn on your window air conditioner? Sour Musty FoulSee results without votingMusty smells may not be noticeable when the air conditioner is off. Air conditioning, particularly central air, is a luxury for some and a necessity to others. Either way, it's supposed to make you comfortable, and that's not possible if there's an unpleasant, musty smell coming out of your vents. That smell is mildew, and it indicates that there has been moisture in the duct system and that the unit may require maintenance.

Once repairs are complete, you will still need to get rid of all lingering odors and eliminate any possible health hazards associated with inhalation. Check the area around the return duct for a handle. Slide the filter out and purchase a new one at your local home improvement store. Slide the new filter back into the slot. Unscrew the condensate drain from the coupling at the drip pan with a wrench and remove the drip pan. Do not attempt to remove the pan if the housing is completely inside the unit. Clear any debris in the drain and pan. Pour some bleach or white vinegar into the pan and onto a rag. Clean the end of the drain with the rag and replace the pan. Wait a couple of days to see if the smell has dissipated. Check the ducts in the basement or attic for leaks while the blower is on. If air is leaking out, it also means that moisture is leaking in and forming mold within the ducts. Call a professional if the ducts are leaking or if there is still a smell after cleaning the drain and tray.