What should I do if my air conditioner has a peculiar smell? A summary of popular solutions across the Internet in the past 10 days
Recently, as the high temperature in midsummer continues, the issue of air conditioner odor has become a hot topic on social platforms. According to the Baidu Index, the search volume for "air conditioner odor" increased by 67% year-on-year, and the number of views of the topic #Air Conditioner Cleaning# on Douyin exceeded 320 million times. This article combines the latest data from the entire network to provide you with systematic solutions.
1. Data analysis of sources of odor in air conditioners (statistics of maintenance cases in the past 10 days)

| Odor type | Proportion | Main causes |
|---|---|---|
| Musty smell | 42% | Evaporator moisture breeds mold |
| Sour smell | 28% | Condensate drain pipe clogged |
| dusty smell | 19% | The filter has accumulated dust and has not been cleaned for more than 3 months. |
| Plastic smell | 11% | New machine plastic parts evaporate at high temperatures |
2. Step-by-step solution guide (5 methods with the highest likes on Douyin)
1.Basic cleaning (solve 80% of common problems)
① Turn off the power, take out the filter, and clean it with a soft brush and neutral detergent.
② Spray the evaporator with special foam cleaner, let it sit for 15 minutes and then wipe it clean
③ Clean the drain pan and use cotton swabs to clear the drainage holes
2.Deep sterilization (hot search method on Weibo)
① Purchase air conditioning disinfectant containing hypochlorous acid (note that the concentration does not exceed 0.1%)
② Turn on the cooling mode and run for 30 minutes, maintaining ventilation during the process
③ Repeat once a month to prevent mold regeneration
3. Solutions for different scenarios (compilation of popular posts on Xiaohongshu)
| Length of use | Recommended plan | cost budget |
|---|---|---|
| New machine within 1 year | Self-cleaning filter + ventilation and deodorization | 20-50 yuan |
| More than 3 years old machine | Professional disassembly and cleaning service + ultraviolet disinfection | 150-300 yuan |
| Central air conditioning in offices | Pipe dust removal + antibacterial coating construction | 800-1500 yuan/set |
4. Preventive measures (highly praised suggestions on Zhihu)
1.Operation before shutting down
Turn off refrigeration 30 minutes in advance and switch to air supply mode to dry the interior.
Turn on the "self-cleaning" function at least once a month (model support required)
2.Consumables replacement cycle
Activated carbon filter: Replace every 3 months
Antibacterial and anti-mildew filter: Replace every 6 months
It is recommended to set regular purchase reminders on the e-commerce platform
5. Handling special situations (actual measurement by Maintenance UP at Station B)
It is necessary to report for repair immediately when the following situations occur:
① Accompanied by a decrease in cooling effect (possible refrigerant leakage)
② The peculiar smell lasts for more than 1 week (internal parts are aging)
③ Black mold spots are visible at the air outlet (deep pollution)
The latest data shows that air-conditioning cleaning orders on the JD.com service platform increased by 215% year-on-year, and 58% of users chose the "cleaning + disinfection" package service. Regular maintenance can not only eliminate odors, but also reduce power consumption by 15%-20%. It is recommended to perform basic maintenance every quarter and professional deep cleaning once a year.
If you encounter an odor problem that is difficult to solve, you can log on to the official websites of major brands to check the 400 service hotline. Recently, Midea, Gree and other manufacturers have launched free door-to-door testing activities in summer. Keep your air conditioner clean to enjoy a truly healthy cooling experience!
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