Window air conditioners are a great way to cool down your home if you don't have central air. But if you're noticing a strange odor coming from your window unit, we're here to help you diagnose and fix the issue. 

At a certain point, your old window A/C might be too compromised to salvage. If you're considering a replacement, consider July - a new, beautifully-designed window A/C that is easy to install - and easy to keep clean. 

Read on to find out what the most common causes of that A/C smell are and how to fix them.

Drain the water (if your A/C has a drain hole).

The most common cause of a bad smell emanating from your A/C is due to the water build up in the unit. All window A/Cs build up water in the back of the cabinet as part of regular operation. However, this standing water can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew if it stays too long and doesn't drain.

Unfortunately, most window A/Cs do not have an easy way to drain the unit (unlike July, which has a drain plug which can be removed to conveniently drain the water out). If your A/C doesn't have a drain hole, the best you can do is bring it out of the window and gently tip it on its back to help the water flow out. If you do this, be sure to put an old towel on the floor to catch the run-off. 

Check the air filter.

If your air conditioner is blowing out a musty, moldy odor, it may be time to clean or replace the air filter. An air filter can collect dirt and debris, which can cause an unpleasant odor. In most cases, you should be able to clean the filter by hand, but you can also run it under lukewarm water (but make sure it dries before you replace it). 

For the first time ever in a window A/C, July offers advanced air purifying filters that can actually cleanse the air you breathe from fine particulates and pollutants (unlike the standard filter). These are disposable, so you'll never need to clean them.

If the odor has a chemical smell to it

If the odor coming from your window A/C smells a little like chemicals, this could be due to a refrigerant leakage. If that's the case, discontinue use immediately. If you're within your warranty period, you should try and make a claim with the manufacturer to see if they will replace it. In almost every case, if there is a refrigerant leak, there is no way to repair the A/C, and you'll have to get a new one. 

July comes with a 1 year-limited warranty and the option to extend that for an additional 2 years. In any case, our warranty is activated from the moment you purchase and you don't need to fill in any forms. 

If it's time to replace your old A/C, check out July now.