Air conditioner concern. . .

[Mme. Defarge]

I recently noticed a strong smell of vinegar when my air conditioner is running. Since mold may be an issue, is it still safe to use the a/c? I have scheduled a service appointment for later in the week but the outdoor temperature is supposed to get quite hot over the next couple of days.

Any advice?

[Deuxcents]

1. I had a UV light installed in the back of my air handler a few years ago ..

Last edited Tue Sep 3, 2024, 09:38 PM - Edit history (1)

It is a special light they put in to keep mold n mildew from growing since I live in a humid climate 11 months out of the year. Every 6 months I have my system inspected, as I’m on a maintenance schedule, n it’s dry n free of moisture. I was skeptical at first as I thought it’s just another upsell, but my filters stay cleaner longer and there’s no odor.


Edited to correct

[SilasSouleII]

10. It's a UV light

They work quite well.

[Deuxcents]

11. O, no! You're correct and I don't know why I keep thinking LED! Showing my age, I guess! Thanks 🙏

[Timewas]

2. Probably

A dirty filter with mold and other neat stuff.. Happens in high humidity areas a lot

[KY_EnviroGuy]

3. Do you have an electrostatic air cleaner?

If so, they can emit ozone which smells similar to vinegar. I don't recall mold or bacteria buildup smelling like vinegar, although my smeller is not the best after many years as a smoker.

If it is coming from an electronic electrostatic air cleaner, the cells probably need to be cleaned, a process that you can do if you wish and have a little mechanical ability and that should be done yearly. I like to dry them out in the hot sun or in an oven (at a safe temperature) before reinstallation. They usually slide out like a drawer.

KY

[usonian]

4. Check the filter. If it looks or smells bad, replace it tonight.

I found 16x20x1 filters at WalMart. Surprised me.

Watch or for people offering a free duct cleaning and mold inspection. They ALWAYS find mold. It took me 45 minutes of turning down the service.

Summers are bone dry in CA, so it is not as big a problem here. The drain tube hasn't passed a drop of water in years.

Good luck. Hopefully, it's just the filter. You could run briefly without one if you can't find a replacement in a hurry.

I got dust. (Woods)

[Deuxcents]

5. My filters are the same size n I get em at Ace Hardware two at a time..must be a popular size

[usonian]

6. Good. I like "standard" stuff.

I own a manufactured home and everything is pretty standard.

Coleman bought the home builder, the heater and air conditioner maker, even the range hood. G.E. built the appliances.

Good luck with your a/c.

[Deuxcents]

7. Thanks 'cause I'm gonna need it..my compressor is about to go..

Hoping it will last until the season is over n get a better deal than during the summer..Home ownership is not always bliss!

[usonian]

8. Ouch. Enduring the latest of many heat waves here.

You got it ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[Deuxcents]

9. Got some time to go here..hurricane season not over until the end of November..

Maybe it will cool off then 🤗

[love_katz]

12. What type of air conditioner do you have?

I have 4 units: 2 are window units and 2 are portable floor units.

The window units don't seem to develop weird smells, but the portable units do. The portable units have some small ports on the back where a hose can be inserted when the unit is being used with the dehumidifier function.

I don't use them to dehumidify, but I discovered that I have to occasionally clean out the hose ports, otherwise the units develop a bad smell.

My units have black plastic caps covering the hose ports. I open the cap and clean out the ports with a q tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. I also twist up a paper towel and insert it into the port and dry it as well as I can. I always find a small amount of black goo on the q tip when I clean the ports. Getting rid of the black goo gets rid of the smell.

I unplug the unit for safety when doing the cleaning.

Good luck. I hope you find the source of the smell and succeed in getting rid of it. Wishing everyone the best success in staying 😎 cool.

I'm hating the increased heat waves with climate change. Ugh!!!