Why does my furnace smell like it's overheating?
An electrical burning smell coming from your furnace indicates that it’s overheating. Wear and tear on components such as bearings and the blower motor can cause them to malfunction leading to overheating. The extra heat can melt other components in the system that are rubber as well as create sparks.
Why does my furnace smell like formaldehyde?
If there is a chemical odor that smells like formaldehyde, your furnace most likely has a cracked heat exchanger. A cracked heat exchanger is extremely dangerous for two reasons. First, it can fill your home with carbon monoxide. Second, it can cause a fire in your home. At Miller’s Heating & Air we take cracked heat exchangers very seriously.
Why does my heating system smell like rotten eggs?
Heating system smells that smell like rotten eggs or sulfur indicates a natural gas leak. Natural gas is odorless. Gas companies have added a chemical to the gas, which causes it to smell like rotten eggs and/or sulfur so home owners know when there is a gas leak. Inhaling natural gas is a health hazard, which can result in nausea, fatigue, dizziness and breathing issues. If there is a natural gas leak in your home, turn off your system immediately. Open your windows in order to increase ventilation and call an HVAC service professional for a heating service appointment. As a safety precaution, you may want to stay out of the home as a safety precaution until the problem has been fixed during a heating service appointment.
Why do my socks smell like dirty socks?
What is the culprit? When your furnace coils cycle between heating up and cooling down, it creates condensation that allows bacteria to grow. Bacteria builds up in your system over time and causes the smell. An annual maintenance completed by trained technician should take care of this problem. During an annual maintenance, your furnace coils are cleaned. It is also important to keep up on changing your furnace filter regularly.
What happens if you spill oil on a furnace?
If this catches on fire, it can cause a burning smell and even smoke. Lastly if you spill while refilling your oil tank and a smell may linger for a few days. If it continues past that period, you should have an HVAC professional who works on oil furnaces investigate the issue during a heating service appointment.
Why is my oil furnace catching on fire?
There is a higher likelihood of this occurring if your oil furnace is in your basement. Make sure to keep debris and items far away from your oil furnace to prevent them from catching on fire. Another possible cause is an issue with the oil and the burner.
What to do if you smell electrical burning?
If you smell electrical burning, immediately turn of your system in order to prevent a fire. You will need a trained professional to assess your system during a heating service appointment and repair it before it can be safely used again.
What Do We Mean by Furnace Odors?
That smell is typically burning dust pushing its way through your ducts. The distinct smell of dust or burning dust should dissipate in a matter of hours.
Is It Normal for a New Furnace to Smell?
Please don't panic. A newly installed furnace may give off an unpleasant smell when you use it for the first time. The smell after you turn on your new furnace is the protective oil coating on your new heat exchanger. It should burn off, and the smell should dissipate within an hour or so. If the smell persists for more than a day, consult your HVAC technician.
Is It Normal to Smell Gas Near a Furnace?
No. Mercaptan smells may mean disaster for your home. Gas leaks are incredibly dangerous and should be addressed immediately.
Why does my furnace smell like dust?
Most furnace odors fall into three categories: Dusty burning smell: This often indicates that it’s time to change the air filter. The furnace may also have dust settled on the inside. Dust and clean the parts you can reach, then call for service if the burning smell continues.
How to get rid of a furnace smell?
As the homeowner, you can change the filter to help with dusty smells. For most anything else, you should call a heating technician to be safe. Here are the steps to follow: 1 Turn off the furnace. Avoid the temptation to keep the heater unit running while you search for the source. Be safe, turn off the furnace, and then visually inspect for the cause or call a professional. 2 Look for active fire or smoke. Rule out an active emergency and call 9-1-1 if you do find anything dangerous! 3 Inspect for burn damage. After the furnace has been off for a while (so you don’t risk touching hot parts), inspect the equipment and any nearby objects for signs of burning or melting to give you an idea of the location and extent of the damage. 4 Clean the air filter and equipment if you can. Some furnaces are difficult to clean without professional equipment, but you may be able to dust and wipe down some dusty parts. 5 Call a heating repair service for anything beyond normal homeowner maintenance. If it’s not just a dusty air filter, that burning smell is telling you that your furnace has a problem. Call a pro if anything seems less than ideal, or if the smell comes back.
What is the number to call for furnace repair in Chicago?
Furnace Repair in Chicago’s North Shore. For heater help in Chicago’s North Shore, you can call Glenbrook Heating & Air Conditioning at 847-729-0114 for furnace repair, troubleshooting, and HVAC service.
How to stop a furnace from burning?
Here are the steps to follow: Turn off the furnace. Avoid the temptation to keep the heater unit running while you search for the source. Be safe, turn off the furnace, and then visually inspect for the cause or call a professional. Look for active fire or smoke.
What does it mean when your furnace smells like rotten eggs?
Gas leak (rotten egg smell): That sulfuric smell is added to gas to alert you. Shut off the furnace immediately and call for service. A professional can diagnose the problem, which may be a cracked part or a failing pilot light or ignitor.
Can you clean a furnace without a filter?
Some furnaces are difficult to clean without professional equipment, but you may be able to dust and wipe down some dusty parts. Call a heating repair service for anything beyond normal homeowner maintenance. If it’s not just a dusty air filter, that burning smell is telling you that your furnace has a problem.
Why Does My Furnace Smell Funny?
When your furnace lies dormant for the warm months of spring and summer, it collects dust. When you first fire up the furnace as the weather cools down, this dust will burn off and might cause a slight burning odor throughout your house. This smell is perfectly normal and will disappear as you utilize your furnace in the winter season.
Negative Consequences of an Inadequately Maintained Furnace
If any of the more serious odors explained above aren’t addressed promptly, they could lead to bigger problems in the near or distant future. Taking good care of your furnace helps prevent some of those issues and extends the machine’s life.
Furnace Repair and Installation Services
The HVAC experts on our team are here to keep your family safe by offering dependable furnace repair and furnace installation services in Virginia. Our 40+ years of industry experience have made us the best emergency heating repair provider in Northern Virginia.
Why does my furnace smell?
This is by far the most common of the furnace smells we encounter — for many people, this smell is an annual occurrence. During the summer months, furnaces typically sit unused. In many homes, particularly homes with pets and families, dust will begin to build up in the furnace. Once autumn rolls around and the furnace kicks in, all that dust gets burned away. Unless the furnace has been cleaned before getting turned on, you can expect to smell a funky, burnt dust smell for a few minutes the first time you run your unit.
Why does my furnace smell like plastic?
Another possible cause of a burning plastic smell involves frayed or poorly connected wires in your furnace. Either of these issues can cause short fuses, damage other furnace components, or even cause electrical fires. If you smell burning plastic, turn your furnace off immediately and call a furnace repair technician!
What does it mean when you smell sulfur?
This one is pretty straightforward: if you smell sulfur or rotten egg odor coming from your furnace or vents, you may have a natural gas issue. Regardless of whether the smell comes from your vents or from the furnace itself, shut the unit off immediately. Leave your home as quickly as you can, making sure to turn the gas off on the way out if possible. Call your gas company — they will be able to safely shut the gas off to your home so that a technician can diagnose the issue.
Why does my gas leak?
Natural gas leaks can be the result of a cracked or otherwise damaged heat exchanger or due to issues with the gas line itself. In either case, don’t try to diagnose the leak yourself. Trained technicians have the equipment and knowledge to fix whatever’s wrong safely, once the gas has been turned off.
Is it safe to use a furnace with burnt dust?
There is little to no risk of fire or health concerns stemming from burnt dust. However, if the smell bothers you, you may want to book a furnace cleanup or tuning before turning your unit on for the first time. This ought to eliminate or minimize dust smells while also ensuring your furnace is operating safely and efficiently.
Why does my furnace smell musty?
Musty odors can manifest themselves from dark and damp environments, especially after long periods of inactivity. Clogged or otherwise unchanged air filters can also cause your furnace to smell musty. Just like the burning dust odor, running your furnace for a few heating cycles will dry up any dampness and eliminate musty odors.
What happens if you smell a metallic smell coming from your furnace?
If you smell any metallic odors coming from your furnace, shut the unit down and have your HVAC technician search for any issues that could cause overheating. Operating your furnace in this condition could lead to further electrical damage and the risk of electrical shock.
What are the most common odors in a furnace?
The following identifies seven of the most common odors you may encounter as you operate your furnace this season. 1. Burnt Dust. As you settle in for a spectacular fall in the Treasure Valley, chances are you’re starting your furnace for the first time in months. But just as unused items can gather dust in your home, ...
What to do if furnace gas leaks?
If your furnace is the source of the gas leak, contact an HVAC professional and have them repair or replace your unit.
What causes carbon monoxide in a furnace?
4. Noxious Fumes. A partially or completely blocked exhaust chimney can redirect noxious exhaust odors back into your home. Chimney blockages can also cause carbon monoxide buildup inside your home, so have your furnace’s exhaust system thoroughly checked and clear all obstructions as soon as possible.
Can you vacuum a furnace?
You can dust and vacuum your furnace to remove some surface dust and minimize burning odors, but not much else needs to be done. 2. Musty Odors. Your furnace can also give off musty odors upon startup, especially if your furnace shares the same air handler as your split air conditioning system.
Can a furnace smell?
When you use your furnace, the last thing you expect is for your nose to be treated to a variety of strange smells. Unfortunately, your furnace can produce odd odors — some of which are relatively harmless, but others could indicate an ongoing safety hazard and the need for immediate HVAC service.
