Any time I light something, gas stove, candle, or start the gas dryer. Do you have any ideas on what this is

Question

I did not use any cleaners, solvents or paints. Gas company came and said its not their gas.

Could it be our AC unit pumping something out?

I am sorry, it smells like kerosene or propane. We are pretty sure it is HVAC related as we kept it off last night and this morning the smell was gone when we lit the stove. We put it back on and the smell was back 20 minutes later when we lit the stove and candle. It is a HVAC unit in the condo, not a window AC. I did change the filter and it is not that.
SO, what inside the HVAC can cause this smell?

Again, sorry about the bad post. We have a newborn as well, so we are a bit worried.

Answer 1

Sounds like combustion byproducts to me.

- Make sure the furnace flue is not blocked forcing combustion byproducts into the condo.

- Do you smell this smell outside your building? Most types of high efficiency furnaces exhaust combustion byproducts out the wall and create a negative pressure inside, which could draw air from outside into your condo. I found this out in my house when my heat was on and my neighbor had his fireplace going, I was drawing his smoke down my chimney and into my basement.

- Do you feel rushing air being sucked into your condo from under the door to the common hallway or through a cracked open window? Hold your candle next to the cracked window. Does the air constantly blow out the candle? Do you smell the smell if you crack a window open for an hour or so? Ask the maintence man in the building if they closed off the makeup air unit or outside air intake to the building. Common mistake they make because they think they can save energy by shutting off the makeup air, not realizing the problems this causes (and it doesn't actually save any energy).

- Check to make sure blower belt is properly tightened and in good condition, not slipping or damaged.

Answer 2

AC units only pump stuff out for a limited time. Then they are empty. AC refrigerant is odorless for the most part, unless it is a window unit using 134a. This refrigerant's oil smells like elephant dung. Does it smell like you are at the circus at your house?

Answer 3

Try cleaning or having someone clean the indoor evaporator coil. It can trap smells and reveal them when it comes on.

Example: When the A/C is first turned on in a smokers car you get that stale smell

Answer 4

Can you please clarify...


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I would call an HVAC company and have them come and check the unit. or if the condo co is responsible for it have them send someone. If they don't do it ASAP you let them know that you will bring someone in and take the amount off your rent or mortgage. That's if the condo is responsible for it.

Answer 5

I think you must have sniffed to much of that mystery stuff

Answer 6

?Do you live above the two guy`s with the plugged toilets

Answer 7

Do you smell gas or what??

Answer 8

yeah, its not their gas...it's somebody elses gas. did they say it was a gas smell?

Answer 9

Read your question. You do not tell us what it is you want to know.....

Answer 10

What the hell is the question?