The rainy season in Taiwan is the "annual test" for many home appliances. Humid air, days of rain, sweat on the walls, and clothes that won’t dry properly—these scenarios not only make people feel depressed, but they are also the number one killer of home appliances. And climate change is making the problem even more difficult.
In the spring of 2026, many places in southern China will usher in the severe rainy season. Social media is full of complaints about "the air conditioner blows out a musty smell", "the rubber ring of the washing machine turns black", and "the TV boot screen flickers". According to statistics from a maintenance platform, during humid weather, the number of repair reports for home appliances will increase significantly. Among them, air conditioners not cooling, washing machines leaking, and refrigerator door seals are moldy are the three most common faults.
These failures are not accidental. Moist air will penetrate into the interior of the appliance, causing the circuit board to oxidize and short-circuit. Condensation may flow into the fuselage along the wires and corrode the metal contacts. Mold on the door seal not only affects hygiene, but also damages the seal, causing the refrigerator compressor to run more frequently.
Extreme climate is changing the appearance of "humidity"
The traditional rainy season may still follow the rules, but climate change has made the weather more unpredictable. In 2026, NOAA predicts a 62% chance of El Niño returning in June. El Niño typically brings more extreme weather—for Taiwan, that means more intense rainfall, longer wet spells, and more frequent stalling fronts.
Guidelines from the Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Services Department point out that controlling the relative humidity of the environment at 50% to 60% can effectively inhibit the growth of mold and slow down the oxidation rate of metals. But in extreme climates, maintaining this humidity range becomes increasingly difficult. The market demand for dehumidifiers has grown significantly as a result, but what many people don’t know is that the dehumidifier itself also needs proper maintenance—the water tank needs to be cleaned regularly, the filter needs to be cleaned, and the location needs to be ventilated.
Common "humidity faults" and simple troubleshooting
If you find that your home appliances are abnormal in humid weather, don't rush to call for repair. You can check some problems yourself first:
- The air conditioner blows out a musty smell: Usually the filter has not been washed for too long, or mold has grown inside the evaporator. You can clean the filter first and turn the air conditioner on to the air supply mode for 10 to 20 minutes to allow the internal moisture to drain out.
- The washing machine has a peculiar smell and the rubber ring is black: Remember to dry the rubber ring after use and open the door for ventilation. Wash the laundry tank with a special detergent once a month. During humid seasons, you can idle the dehydration mode once a week to drive away moisture.
- The TV or computer turns on abnormally: If the TV has not been used for a long time, the inside may have become damp. It can be turned on and run for one hour every day, using the machine's own heat to dissipate moisture. When you go out for a long time, you can cover the fuselage with a moisture-proof cover.
- The refrigerator door seal is moldy: Wipe the door seal with dilute bleach or special detergent, and check whether the rubber is aged and deformed. If the seal is not tight, leakage of cold air will increase the burden on the compressor.
If you have tried the above steps and still cannot solve the problem, please ask a professional to check. But remember: when an abnormality is discovered, the power should be cut off immediately, and do not forcefully turn it on, otherwise the damp parts may further oxidize, significantly increasing maintenance costs.
Prevention is worse than cure: Four principles of daily moisture prevention
Instead of spending a lot of money on repairs after a failure, it is better to take moisture-proof measures on a daily basis. The following are four simple and effective principles:
- Maintain ventilation: Try not to open windows in humid weather to prevent moisture from outside pouring in. Wait until the weather clears and the outdoor humidity is lower than indoors, then open the windows wide for ventilation.
- Turn on regularly: Electrical appliances are most afraid of "leaving idle and getting wet". For home appliances that are not frequently used, such as TVs and computers, it is recommended to turn them on at least once a week and use the heat generated by their operation to dehumidify.
- Use dehumidifier correctly: Dehumidifier is a good helper in fighting moisture, but remember to clean the water tank and filter regularly. The dehumidifier should be placed away from the wall to ensure that the air inlet and outlet are clear.
- Avoid wiping electrical appliances with a wet cloth: Never use a wet rag to wipe the surface of electrical appliances in humid weather. Moisture seeping into gaps is more deadly than humidity in the air. Be sure to use a dry microfiber cloth for cleaning.
Climate change is making Taiwan’s wet seasons longer and more difficult to predict. Rather than passively waiting for home appliances to malfunction, it is better to start establishing moisture-proof maintenance habits now. After all, a well-maintained home appliance will not only save you money on repairs, but it will also last longer with you in extreme climates.
New knowledge on air-conditioning power consumption and Taiwan climate maintenance regulations in recent years (2025-2026 current situation)
With the high temperatures in summer breaking historical records and the adjustment of electricity price structure in recent years, the latest statistics from the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that air-conditioning equipment accounts for more than 47% of residential electricity consumption in summer. Many people mistakenly believe that if the air conditioner is not cold, they only need to "replenish the refrigerant." However, in fact, refrigerant is not naturally consumed during normal operation in a closed circuit. If the refrigerant is insufficient, it means that there are micro leaks in the copper pipes or joints. Simply replenishing the air conditioner will only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Refrigerant leakage will aggravate the high temperature overload of the compressor and shorten its service life.
According to Taiwan's standard operating specifications for air-conditioning projects, it is recommended that professional technicians with a refrigeration and air-conditioning decoration technician license perform "full machine high-pressure water washing and evaporator deep sterilization" every 1 to 2 years for detached air-conditioning indoor units. Especially in the humid summer in the Shuangbei Basin, the air drum and water collection tray are easy to breed black mold and jelly-like biofilm. This is also the main reason for the sour smell in the air-conditioning outlet and the backflow of the drainage pipe. Regular maintenance can maintain CSPF (Air Conditioning Seasonal Performance Factor) level one energy efficiency level, which can save an average household 15% to 20% of air conditioning electricity bills every year.
Autonomous simple maintenance vs professional maintenance safety red line
- Homeowners can do this themselves: Regularly remove and clean the nylon filter every 2 to 3 weeks (rinse with clean water and dry in a cool place, do not expose it to the sun to avoid deformation and embrittlement); clean the air outlet blades of the indoor unit with a dry cloth; check whether there is any accumulation of debris within 50 cm around the outdoor unit that hinders heat dissipation.
- Professional technicians must be entrusted according to regulations: Refrigerant pressure testing and leakage repair welding, high-pressure cleaning of indoor unit air drums and aluminum fins with liquid chemicals, reset of the drainage slope of hidden cold water pipes in the ceiling, and 220V dedicated power circuit configuration and leakage circuit breaker replacement.
