ACs bring a lot of relief to hot homes during the summer months. There is nothing like common inside after sweating in the heat to a lovely, cool home where you can let your hair down without it sticking to the back of your neck.
However, it can be an awful feeling to come home after spending a day in the sweltering heat to find out that your air conditioner smells of vinegar.
But what exactly causes this smell, and how do you make it go away? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about ACs that smell like vinegar if it is dangerous, how you can fix it, and more.
So, if you’re suffering from cold, vinegar-scented air, then read on for more!
Why Does My AC Smell Like Vinegar?
Let’s check out the main reasons why your AC could smell like vinegar!
Mold And Bacteria
If you notice your AC smells like vinegar, try to take a look at the air filter or vent. If you leave either of these things alone for a while without checking them, there’s a high chance that they will have grown bacteria or mold.
This is because they are a prime environment for bacteria and mold to grow.
When your AC system is working properly, it will create condensation when the evaporator is cooling down the air so you can feel cold air working its way around your home. Then, the drain pan of the AC will remove any condensation drips.
However, when the condensation drips too quickly, or the drain pan stops working properly, the environment inside the AC becomes moist and warm, which is perfect for the growth of bacteria and mold.
It is the bacteria and mold that give off the vinegar smell, which then transfers into your space once the AC is turned on.
Ozone Emissions
A vinegar smell coming from your AC could also be the result of ozone release. This is a pollutant that you cannot see, but it is very bad for your health. If your use is powered using electric motors, then it will release ozone while energy is being created by the electricity.
Luckily, ozone is easy to smell. As well as it smelling like vinegar, you may also smell a smell similar to burning wires, which is very unpleasant.
Your Air Filter Is Faulty
Sometimes, your AC may smell like vinegar because the air filter is faulty or has malfunctioned.
The air filter is what removes pollutants from your AC and prevents them from entering your home. So, if it is faulty, then it will end up blowing these toxins into your home and this can result in a vinegar-like smell.
The Condensation Pan Is Blocked
An essential component of your AC is the condensation pan. This is what allows the drips from condensation to drain away and prevents the growth of mold and bacteria.
So, when the condensation pan gets blocked, it allows materials from your home such as dust to build up and this stops the drips from draining properly. This allows mold and other types of bacteria to grow. The result, of course, is an unpleasant vinegar smell.
Is An AC That Smells Like Vinegar Dangerous?
Often, it feels easier to simply ignore the smell of your AC. However, it is better to deal with the problem when you discover it rather than let it get worse.
If you leave the vinegar smell in your AC, you are also leaving the mold and bacteria that are causing the smell. This creates a risk of developing respiratory and breathing problems, which is not good for anyone.
This is especially bad because there is a chance you may experience coughing, wheezing, allergic reactions, or in extreme cases, pneumonia that could be fatal.
Additionally, there is a chance that you could experience headaches or chronic fatigue.
If your AC smells like vinegar as a result of ozone release issues, then this can also prove extremely dangerous for your health. Ozone release can cause issues with your cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.
How Can I Remove The Vinegar Smell?
So, to prevent health risks and bad-smelling homes, you need to remove the cause of the vinegar smell and get your AC back to its normal working condition again. To do so, there are a few solutions you can try.
Work Out Where The Smell Is Coming From
Naturally, you need to rule out anything other than the AC that could be the cause of the vinegar smell. You can do this by turning your AC on to check if the vinegar smell is present, and then turning it off to see if the vinegar smell persists.
Once you have worked this out, check the AC to see if it is mold or bacteria and if this mold or bacteria is being caused by a condensation pan or air filter that doesn’t work properly.
If there is no mold or bacteria present, then the smell is probably because of ozone release.
Contact A Technician
Once you have worked out the source of the smell, you next need to contact an HVAC technician. They will be able to fix the issue for you and inspect the AC system to prevent the vinegar smell from happening in the future.
Cleaning Chemicals
If you do not want to call the HVAC technician, then you should invest in chemicals for the AC that will be able to clean it well.
Look for cleaning chemicals that have the correct enzymes to ensure you get the cleanest air circulating in your home. You should always ensure that you are handling chemicals safely.
Final Thoughts
Your AC system should not smell like vinegar. If it does, it may be because of a mold or bacteria build-up thanks to a faulty air filter or clogged condensation pan. It may also be the result of ozone release.
Once you determine the cause of the vinegar smell, you should contact an HVAC technician to fix the problem so you can have clean cold air circulating in your home once more.
