Why Your Air Conditioner Smells Bad (And What It Means for Your Home)
- Brett Wells
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever turned on your air conditioner in summer and noticed a strange smell, you’re not alone.
On the Gold Coast, hot and humid weather creates the perfect environment for odours to develop inside air conditioning systems.
From musty smells to burning odours, your aircon is often trying to warn you that something isn’t right.
In this guide, we explain why your air conditioner smells bad in summer, what each smell means, and how to fix it before it affects your comfort and health.
Why Bad Smells Are More Common in Summer
During summer, your air conditioner runs longer and removes more moisture from the air.
This leads to:
Damp internal parts
Condensation buildup
Warm temperatures inside the unit
Faster bacterial growth
Humidity on the Gold Coast makes this even worse.
Over time, this creates odours that get blown through your home.
What Different Aircon Smells Mean
Musty or Mouldy Smell
This is the most common complaint.
Cause: Mould or mildew inside filters, coils, or drains.
Risk:
❌ Triggers allergies
❌ Worsens asthma
❌ Affects indoor air quality
Dirty Sock or Sour Smell
Often called “dirty sock syndrome”.
Cause: Bacteria growing on evaporator coils.
Risk:
❌ Persistent odour
❌ Reduced efficiency
Burning or Electrical Smell
This is serious.
Cause: Overheated wiring, motors, or dust burning.
Action:
⚠️ Turn system off immediately and call a technician.
Rotten Egg or Sulphur Smell
Rare, but dangerous.
Cause: Possible gas leak (not from AC itself, but nearby).
Action:
⚠️ Leave the house and call emergency services.
Sewage or Drain Smell
Cause:👉 Blocked or dry drain lines.
Risk:
❌ Water leaks
❌ Bacterial growth
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Bad Smells
Ignoring odours can lead to:
❌ Respiratory problems
❌ Higher power bills
❌ System breakdowns
❌ Costly repairs
❌ Mould spreading into walls
Especially in homes with babies, kids, or pets, air quality matters.
How to Prevent Smelly Air Conditioners
Clean Filters Monthly
Dirty filters trap moisture and bacteria.
Check them every 4 weeks in summer.
Schedule Annual Professional Cleaning
DIY cleaning isn’t enough for:
Coils
Drains
Internal housing
Blower fans
Professional servicing removes hidden buildup.
Use “Dry Mode” When Needed
Dry mode reduces humidity without heavy cooling.
Perfect for humid Gold Coast nights.
Keep Drain Lines Clear
Blocked drains = stagnant water = bad smells.
Regular servicing prevents this.
How EvidiAir Fixes Smelly Aircons
At EvidiAir, we don’t mask smells, we eliminate them.
Our deep-clean service includes:
✔ Antibacterial treatment
✔ Coil washing
✔ Drain flushing
✔ Filter sanitising
✔ Full system inspection
So your home smells fresh, not damp.
Final Answer: If Your AC Smells, It Needs Attention
Bad smells are never “normal”.
They’re early warning signs.
Fixing them early saves money, protects your family’s health, and extends your system’s life.
If your air conditioner smells bad this summer, contact EvidiAir today.
Fast service. Honest advice. Real results.
📞 Call now: 0414753300
📍 Servicing: ALL Gold Coast and surroundings
