Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now noticing a weird smell? You’re not alone, because plenty of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s creating this smell, and when you can anticipate it to go away, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t ignore.
Why Your New Furnace Smells
There are two reasons why a new furnace might reek.
Protective Finish
Your furnace has a special application on some parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely gets rid of gases such as carbon monoxide naturally produced during the heating process.
When your furnace operates for the first couple of times, the coating may emit a burning smell. This is normal and the smell should disperse the more your furnace runs.
To be on the safe side, you’ll want to call a heating and cooling company if the smell lingers. A burning smell that sticks around can mean the motor has overheated or there’s an electrical problem, among other concerns.
Dust
Dust collects inside your furnace when it’s idle in the summer. That dust will burn off when you switch on your furnace in the fall, making a burning smell. This smell should go away within a few minutes.
One way you can decrease or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done every year. This is required to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run perfectly during the upcoming heating time of year.
3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss
While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other scents you should look out for and what they might mean.
- Burning plastic or rubber. If your furnace smells like burning plastic, you might have an electrical issue. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to avoid shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To hinder a fire, shut off your furnace as soon as possible and have it checked out by an HVAC technician.
- Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to alert you when there’s a problem. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off right away, leave your home and contact 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, plus it’s highly flammable and explosive.
- Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew flourishing in your ductwork. We recommend having your ductwork examined and cleaned if required.
Now that you are aware which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re ready to take care of your new furnace. If you have concerns about a strange odor, our Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning HVAC technicians can help you. Call us at 636-456-5041 to schedule your appointment now. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Warrenton and surrounding communities.