Six weeks away can take a toll on Dubai homes as cleaners and AC technicians face a post-summer rush.
For many UAE residents, returning from a long summer holiday means unpacking suitcases, preparing children for school and settling back into everyday routines. But some may find an unwelcome surprise waiting at home — from unpleasant odours and weak air-conditioning to water leaks and mould.
Abdul Basith, an engineer working in Al Quoz, experienced this first-hand after returning to his Al Nahda apartment in Dubai following an absence of around six weeks.
“The moment I opened the door, there was a very strong and unpleasant smell inside the apartment,” he said. “At first, I assumed it was simply because the home had been closed for so long. I opened the windows and turned on the AC, expecting the odour to clear, but it persisted.”
Technicians’ schedules packed
Basith’s experience is becoming familiar during the summer return period, with cleaning companies and AC technicians in Dubai and Sharjah reporting busy schedules as residents return from extended holidays.
Shamveel Khan of Clean Touch in Al Nahda, Sharjah, said his team is currently visiting three to four homes a day, with some bookings being pushed to the following day because of high demand.
Homes that have been closed for several weeks can develop a range of issues, including accumulated dust, unpleasant odours, damp patches, insects and mould around AC vents and walls.
“Kitchens and bathrooms often need the most attention,” Khan said, noting that unused drains can develop strong smells. In some cases, residents opt for a full deep clean rather than routine cleaning.
AC technicians are also seeing a surge in calls. Asad Niyaz of Al Nafiz AC Repair in Abu Hail, Dubai, said his team is receiving calls throughout the day and visiting at least three to four homes daily.
Weak cooling is among the most common complaints. Inspections can reveal dirty filters, blocked drain lines, dusty coils and water leaks.
Long periods without AC can also allow moisture to accumulate inside the system, leading to unpleasant smells when the unit is switched back on.
Why does this happen?
Dubai’s combination of extreme heat and high humidity can make unoccupied homes particularly vulnerable when cooling and ventilation are switched off for extended periods.
Justlife, a UAE home-services platform, said up to 30 per cent of homes may experience some form of mould buildup inside AC systems this year. Heat, humidity, dust and trapped moisture can contribute to buildup in filters, ducts, coils and drain pans, sometimes before visible mould appears.
Dr Saira Hyder, medical director at Justlife, said residents often seek help only after noticing an odour or a decline in cooling performance. By that point, buildup may already have developed inside the system.
The problem has also been reported during previous UAE summers. Reported a 70 per cent rise in summer enquiries at one mould-removal company in 2024, while another recorded a 42 per cent increase in mould inspections during July and August. A separate company saw requests for AC duct cleaning and mould remediation double between May and August.
DEWA has previously warned that while switching off AC during a long holiday can reduce electricity consumption, increased heat and humidity indoors can contribute to fungus, unpleasant smells and damage to furniture and electronic equipment.
Leaving for a long holiday? What to do
Experts recommend servicing the AC and cleaning its filters before travelling, while also checking for leaks and partially blocked drainage lines. Any existing condensation or leakage problems should be fixed before leaving the property unattended.
Justlife recommends keeping the AC at around 26°C to 28°C in fan or auto mode during extended absences. Previous experts have also advised maintaining indoor humidity below 60 per cent to help reduce the risk of mould.
Niyaz advised residents returning to a very hot apartment not to immediately turn the thermostat down to 16°C or 18°C in an attempt to cool the home faster. If the AC is cooling poorly or producing an unusual smell, water leak or strange noise, it should first be inspected.
For Basith, the experience has changed how he plans for future holidays.
“We spend so much time preparing for the holiday, tickets, luggage and everything else, but don’t think much about the home we are leaving behind,” he said. “Next time, I will definitely get the AC serviced before leaving and make sure somebody checks the apartment while we are away.”
