Where the air handler is located is also commonly used as a storage space. The inside unit is called the air handler and is usually located in the basement of a home. There’s not much that can be done to get rid of this smell except wait for the smell to go away over time.Ĭontainers of Chemicals Near the Indoor Air HandlerĪn AC unit consists of both an outside and an inside unit. While this is not a serious problem that requires AC repair, it can be annoying. If you have recently had new ductwork installed, the glue from this new ductwork could be the source of the chemical smell in your home. Other signs of a refrigerant leak include higher than normal energy bills, warm air coming through the vents, ice on your AC lines, or a hissing or bubbling sound coming from outside the AC unit. If you smell a sweet, chloroform type smell when you turn on the AC, it is more than likely from the leaky refrigerant. Refrigerant traveling through these copper coils will then leak out through the cracks. Refrigerant travels through copper coils, and over time, these copper coils can wear down, causing cracks. Refrigerant is what removes the hot air from the house and blows cold air through the vents. Refrigerant is absolutely necessary for your AC unit to run properly and cool down the home. An experienced AC repair technician can take a look at your unit to help determine what exactly is causing this unwanted smell. But why does a chemical smell sometimes come from the AC unit after turning it on? There are four main problems that could be the cause of a chemical smell after turning on the AC. Turning on your AC on a hot summer day means a cool, comfortable temperature inside that you can enjoy.

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