Bad Smell From Air Conditioning
A musty or sour smell whenever the indoor unit starts..
A musty or sour smell whenever the indoor unit starts.
What is actually going on
A musty or sour smell whenever the indoor unit starts.
The realistic causes, in order
Biofilm growth on the indoor coil and drain tray, where condensate sits Dirty filters holding dust and moisture A drain trap that has dried out, letting drainage odours back through the condensate line
What we test on site
Coil, tray and blower wheel condition under inspection Filter condition and replacement interval Condensate trap and termination arrangement
What you can safely look at with a smell from the air conditioning
- Wash the filters and run the unit on fan-only for a while after cooling
- Check whether the smell also occurs on heating mode
- Deep cleaning an indoor unit involves electrical isolation and coil-safe chemicals. Household cleaners can corrode aluminium fins.
Who does the work
- Gas Safe registered engineers — registration 554328
- REFCOM registered for F-Gas refrigerant work
- Worcester Bosch accredited installer
- John The Plumb Ltd, company registration 10026483
Get a smell from the air conditioning diagnosed properly
A proper deep clean plus a corrected drain arrangement removes the source rather than masking it.
Questions we get asked
Why is a smell from the air conditioning happening on an air conditioning system?
Biofilm growth on the indoor coil and drain tray, where condensate sits
What normally puts a smell from the air conditioning right?
A proper deep clean plus a corrected drain arrangement removes the source rather than masking it.
Is it safe to keep using the system with a smell from the air conditioning?
Deep cleaning an indoor unit involves electrical isolation and coil-safe chemicals. Household cleaners can corrode aluminium fins.