It can be quite concerning when your air conditioner does not appear to be working correctly, even more so if it is beginning to smell like vinegar. Rest assured, this is not a very uncommon occurrence; therefore, there are already known issues to look for and things to do to help the situation.
There are certainly a few reasons as to why this can be occurring. So let’s take a look at what these reasons for air conditioning repairs in the Mornington Peninsula are and how you can get them fixed in a timely fashion.
The vinegar odour could potentially be caused by these different problems:
- Too much condensation
- Dirty or clogged air filter
- Mould growth
- Refrigerant leaks
- Bacterial growth within the drainage system
It can take a little bit of investigation to find out what exactly is the cause of the smell. It is always highly recommended to have a professional air conditioning service perform these checks for you.
Here are the common causes of the above problems and how they can be rectified.
Too much condensation in the Air Conditioner
Cause
During the cooling process, your air conditioner will naturally produce condensation. This can become problematic if the air conditioner is run continuously during higher humidity levels. If you have evaporative cooling, this can exacerbate the issues, meaning you will potentially need to look into this issue more often than other types of air conditioning.
Resolution
If you live in an area that has high humidity. It is recommended to change your air filter every 30-90 days. Living on the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, and surrounds, it is recommended to get this filter cleaned or replaced roughly once a year. As our humidity levels are nowhere near as high as other places around the world or even Australia.
The other thing that can be done to assist in reducing this problem is to have the evaporator coils cleaned by a professional air conditioning team, such as CoreTemp Australia.
Dirty or clogged air filter
Cause
Air conditioners are continuously moving air around the inside of the home and also pulling fresh air from the exterior. This will always mean the filters will get dirty or clogged with dirt, debris, and dust. When you live in areas close to the beach, with high winds or even near any construction sites, this can lead to having your filters get clogged or dirty more frequently.
When this happens, it can unfortunately create a great setup for bacterial growth, which can often lead to that vinegar smell or other unpleasant smells.
Resolution
By cleaning or even replacing your filters regularly, you can help your air conditioner in a few ways. One of which is that you will reduce the potential for bacterial growth, which will greatly reduce the vinegar smell. Another benefit of doing this regularly is that your air conditioner will perform better, using less power. This can help to reduce the cost of usage, allowing for your hard-earned money to be spent elsewhere.
Mould growth in an Air Conditioner
Cause
Mould growth can occur in your air conditioner when moisture is collected in certain areas, such as the drain pan or evaporator coils. This can be one of the most common reasons for that vinegar smell, due to this collection of moisture and resulting mould growth.
Resolution
Whilst it is important to have your air conditioning unit regularly serviced. It is good to keep an eye on these particular areas to ensure that this mould growth is not occurring. If you are unable to locate the evaporator coils or the drain pan. You can contact us for guidance or to book a service call.
Refrigerant leaks
Cause
Refrigerant leaks within your air conditioning unit can be caused by a few different issues, such as improper installation, general wear and tear, and corrosion. This is one of the reasons it is so important to have your air conditioning installed by a licensed and expert professional.
The leak itself should not necessarily cause a vinegar smell. But it can be the accumulation of acidic odours due to the interaction of the refrigerant and other elements.
One of the most common ways to know or suspect you have a refrigerant leak is by a hissing sound coming from your unit. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) has a report regarding leaks, maintenance and emissions that details more information on the impacts of these faults and the significance of routine maintenance of your air conditioning units.
Resolution
If you suspect that the reason for the vinegar smell is due to a refrigerant leak. You must contact your installation team immediately to have them come and inspect and fix the issue. Refrigerant leaks, otherwise known as freon leaks, can cause health issues due to refrigerant poisoning.
Bacterial growth within the drainage system
Cause
All air conditioning units require a drainage system, which removes moisture from the unit to keep it clean and free from bacterial growth. Unfortunately, if the system becomes clogged or is not used for a while, becoming stagnant, it can create a buildup of this bacteria within the drainage system. Again, the bacteria can create a vinegar-smelling odour, which can not only be unpleasant, but also unhealthy to breathe in.
Resolution
The best way to clean the drainage system is to flush it with a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar and water, or plain hot water. This will help to break down the clog and any bacterial growth. It can be tricky to access this area. So it is a good idea to contact a professional service to ensure it is done correctly.
The team at CoreTemp Australia is always on hand to support you. Any maintenance or service requests or questions you may have. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Founder Corey Webb has established a company that is dedicated to customer service and excellence in all areas of heating and cooling solutions. Contact Corey and his team of expert installers today.