Air conditioning at home or in the office is extremely convenient, especially on hot days. However, even the best-chosen equipment can cause problems – water may start dripping from the unit or an unpleasant odor may emanate from it. For many people, this is a sign that the device needs to be replaced, but in most cases, these faults can be dealt with without drastic measures. Find out what the causes may be and how to deal with them.
Where does the water in the air conditioner come from?
If you notice that your air conditioner is starting to drip, the first step is to understand where the water in such a device comes from. An air conditioner cools the air and dehumidifies it at the same time. This process produces condensate, i.e., liquefied water vapor. Normally, this water flows down a special drain pipe and is discharged outside the building or into the sewage system. The problem starts when this system stops working properly.
The most common cause is a clogged drain. Sometimes dust, insect remains, and even mold accumulate in the pipe. As a result, the water has nowhere to drain and begins to collect in the tray under the evaporator, and then overflows outside the unit. Sometimes the fault lies with a leak in the system or a damaged component responsible for draining the condensate.
One more thing should not be forgotten – incorrect installation. If the indoor unit has not been mounted in a perfectly horizontal position, water may accumulate in the wrong place and, instead of flowing through the pipe, it will leak into the room. Therefore, it is important to ensure professional installation and, in case of problems, check the mounting level.
What to do when your air conditioner is leaking?
The first thing you can do yourself is to check the drain pipe. If it is easily accessible, simply blow it out gently or rinse it with pressurized water. Many people use a syringe or a small pump for this purpose. If debris has accumulated in the pipe, the problem should disappear.
The next step is to clean the condensate tray. Simply disconnect the device from the power supply, open the housing, and thoroughly clean all components where water may have accumulated. A soft cloth and mild detergent work well for this purpose. It is not recommended to use strong chemicals that can damage delicate plastic components.
If the problem recurs, it is worth checking whether the drain pipe has been damaged or broken. Sometimes a simple bend can prevent water from draining freely. If the device was installed a long time ago, it is also possible that the seals have worn out and need to be replaced.
If all these simple measures prove ineffective, it may be necessary to call in a professional. A service technician will not only check the drain pipe for blockages, but also assess whether the problem lies in the design of the device itself. This will help you avoid flooding your walls, floors, or furniture and save you additional repair costs.
Why does the air conditioner smell bad?
An unpleasant smell coming from the air conditioner is a signal that absolutely cannot be ignored. The most common causes are contamination and the growth of microorganisms inside the device. Filters and heat exchangers accumulate dust, pollen, and moisture, which create an ideal environment for mold and bacteria to grow. When you turn on the air conditioner, air flows through the contaminated components and spreads the unpleasant odor throughout the room.
Sometimes the cause is also a blocked drain, as mentioned earlier. Standing water becomes a place where microorganisms multiply. A musty or damp smell is a typical symptom of this problem.
We mustn’t forget about the smell of burning. If it appears when the air conditioner is running, it may indicate electrical problems, worn cables, or an overheating fan motor. In this case, it is not worth delaying, but calling a specialist immediately, as the fault may be dangerous.
How to get rid of unpleasant odors from your air conditioner?
The most effective way is regular cleaning and maintenance. Air filters should be washed at least once every few weeks during the summer season. Simply remove them, rinse them under running water, and then dry them. Clean filters not only eliminate unpleasant odors, but also improve the air quality in the room.
It is also a good idea to descale the device from time to time. This can be done with special spray preparations that destroy bacteria and fungi inside the unit. Spray the preparation onto the evaporator and into the ducts, then start the device so that the agent can spread throughout the system. These types of measures are simple and relatively inexpensive, and can significantly improve user comfort.
Professional service companies offer more advanced methods, such as ozone treatment or chemical cleaning. This is a good solution if the air conditioner has not been used for a long time or if the problem recurs despite regular maintenance of the device. Ozone effectively neutralizes unpleasant odors and eliminates microorganisms, while specialized chemicals remove even hard-to-see mold spots.
In addition to the device itself, it is also worth remembering about ventilation ducts if the air conditioning is integrated with the ventilation system. Contaminated ducts can be a source of odors that cannot be eliminated by cleaning the indoor unit alone. Regular inspections of the entire installation will help you avoid such surprises.
Administracja sprzedaży – zarządzanie procesami sprzedażowymi, analiza rynku oraz przygotowywanie ofert
Doradztwo techniczne HVAC – wsparcie w zakresie doboru, konfiguracji i eksploatacji urządzeń HVAC
Koordynacja realizacji projektów – nadzór nad przebiegiem inwestycji oraz współpraca z zespołami technicznymi
Programowanie sterowników – konfiguracja i optymalizacja systemów sterowania dla urządzeń klimatyzacyjnych
Obsługa serwisowa i montażowa – koordynacja prac serwisowych i instalacyjnych
Doradztwo i sprzedaż systemów VRF, Split, Multi – współpraca z firmami instalacyjnymi, biurami projektowymi i deweloperami
Przygotowanie ofert handlowych i wycen – analiza kosztów, tworzenie konkurencyjnych propozycji dla klientów
- What to do if your air conditioner is leaking or smells bad? - 18 September 2025
- Installing air conditioning in historic churches and theatres — art or challenge? - 18 September 2025
- Air conditioning and energy bills — how to cool your home without overspending? - 29 August 2025