why does my heater smell like burnt plastic

Why Does My Water Heater Smell Like Burning Plastic?

1. Plastic Parts. There are some plastic parts within the water heater. ...
2. Hidden Plastic. This potential cause of that awful burning sound is much easier for homeowners to find and deal with by themselves.
3. Wire Insulation. Wire insulation has at least some plastic in it. ...
4. Burning Dust. Are you sure it smells like plastic? ...
5. Gunpowder. ...
6. Overheating. ...

Full Answer

What to do if your heater smells like burning?

Steps to check the heater for dust:

• Turn the heater off and unplug it. ...
• Clean the surface of the heater with a dry and clean duster
• Use a damp cloth to wipe the surface. ...
• Open the case or cover of the heater. ...
• Spray the insides of the heater with a compressed air duster. ...
• You can also vacuum the interior by using a small nozzle and a brush. ...

More items...

Why does my heater have a burning smell?

Some causes of an electrical smell coming from your vents include:

• Spill Near the Registers – If liquid or food spilled near a vent, the resulting smell may be electrical in nature. ...
• Object Stuck in Ventilation – If you have children or pets, toys and other objects may get stuck in vents. ...
• Air Trapped in Closed Vents – Although it might seem obvious, the trapped air from a vent may give off a light electrical odor. ...

What's the burning smell coming from my heater?

Burning Smell from Your Heater: What Is It?

• Smells Toasty! We've talked about "Florida cold " in the past. ...
• Clogged Air Filter. The dust and dirt on a clogged air filter might cause a burning smell from the heat passing through it.
• Proximity. Anything near your heating unit or vents can cause a burning smell when the heat is on. ...
• Types of Smells. ...

What causes a stove to smell like burning plastic?

What you can do for the possible causes

• Cooker switch, control unit or terminal connectors. There is a possibility that the cooker switch/control unit or its terminal connectors have melted, and you need to check your induction stove ...
• Terminal block. ...
• Induction ring. ...
• Filter board. ...
• Circuit board. ...
• Coatings. ...
• Fan. ...
• Food. ...
• Spills. ...

Why does my heating system smell like burning plastic?

Burning Plastic The smell of plastic burning could mean a foreign object has made its way into your heating unit. This could be anything from a plastic bottle cap to one of your children's plastic toys. As the plastic burns from the heat of the furnace, it can emit fumes into the home that are harmful to your health.

Why does my heater smell like burnt?

Dust on the furnace A burning smell when you first turn your heater on is most likely caused by dust buildup on your furnace. For homeowners who live in a region that often experiences changing seasons, like in the Mid-Atlantic, it's likely that the furnace isn't used all year round.

What to do if it smells like burning plastic?

Burning smells, particularly the smell of burning plastic or burning near your electrical outlets, could indicate serious electrical problems. If you smell burning or notice sparking or charring near your outlets, contact the fire department.

Why does my gas furnace smell like burning plastic?

Furnace Smells Like Burning Plastic If your furnace smells like burning plastic or burning rubber, it might have an electrical problem. This smell of burning can be triggered by melting plastic wire casing, which is a safety hazard.

Is burnt plastic smell toxic?

The burning of plastics releases toxic gases like dioxins, furans, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (better known as BCPs) into the atmosphere, and poses a threat to vegetation, and human and animal health.

Can a house heater cause a fire?

The National Fire Protection Association says more than one in six home fires start from heating equipment, which is the second most common cause of a fire behind cooking. While most heating-related fires start from either space heaters or fire places, more than one out of every 10 starts with a central heating system.

Why does my house suddenly smell like burning plastic?

If your house smells of burning plastic, take caution. The smell of burning plastic could be a sign of an overheated household appliance, a kitchen accident, or a problem with the HVAC system. Heaters and furnaces may smell of burnt plastic when their parts are broken or worn out.

Does electrical fire smell like burning plastic?

Burning smell Call an electrician immediately if you smell something electrical burning. Most electrical wiring has plastic insulation. An electrical fire initially has a fairly acrid smell of plastic burning. The short could be in the outlet or in the wiring inside a wall and can be hard to locate.

What does carbon monoxide smell like?

Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no odor, color or taste. You wouldn't be able to see or smell it, but it can be very dangerous to your health and even fatal.

Is it normal for furnace to smell like burning?

As your furnace heats back up it is burning this dust off, hence the burning smell. This is normal and is not considered to be a safety hazard. The smell should go away after a few hours once the furnace burns all the dust away.

Can a dirty air filter cause a burning smell?

Dirty Filter If your air filter is clogged, these contaminants can get sucked into the blower and cause it to overheat. This can also lead to dirt and dust reaching the heat exchanger and heating up. Both of these will cause a burning smell and can be mostly avoided by changing your filter regularly.

Is it normal for a new furnace to smell like burning plastic?

Burning plastic or rubber. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to prevent shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this protective coating. To prevent a fire, turn off your furnace right away and have it inspected out by an HVAC technician.

Is it normal for furnace to smell like burning?

As your furnace heats back up it is burning this dust off, hence the burning smell. This is normal and is not considered to be a safety hazard. The smell should go away after a few hours once the furnace burns all the dust away.

Is it normal for your heater to smell?

Generally, it's completely normal that a heater has a burning smell when first turned on, and you don't need to worry! In most cases, this odor dissipates in an hour or so. As long as the smell of burning doesn't continue for more than a day, this odor is just a normal occurrence.

Why does it stink when my heat turns on?

Burning Smell Dust and dirt buildup on the heater: During the summer months, it's normal for dust and dirt to accumulate in and around your heating system from lack of use. When you first turn on your heat for the season, the dust and dirt will burn off, creating a burning odor.

What does electrical burning smell like?

An electrical fire initially has a fairly acrid smell of plastic burning. The short could be in the outlet or in the wiring inside a wall and can be hard to locate.

Why does my heater smell like plastic?

Sometimes a burning plastic smell can be the sign of an electrical failure. Malfunctions in the heater can cause the plastic wire casings to fail and meltdown. The melting of casings can also cause a burning rubber smell.

Why does my furnace smell like it's burning?

Burning Smell from Heater. If your heater smells like burning, then it may be a sign that your furnace needs maintenance. It could be something as minor as a dirty filter, but it could also be a serious problem like an electrical component failure. Don’t ignore it.

What does it mean when your furnace smells musty?

A musty odor could mean that mold is on the furnace filter, the humidifier filter (if you have one), or trapped in your system’s ductwork. Inspect the filter once a year and replace or clean as needed. You can clean a humidifier filter with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.

What to do if your furnace smells like smoke?

What should you do if your furnace smells like smoke? If you smell a smoky smell coming from your heater, you will want to call an HVAC technician right away. If you have an oil furnace and smell smoke or oil, it could mean a serious problem with your furna ce. A blocked chimney can also cause a smoky smell, so in any case, ...

How long does it take for a burning smell to dissipate?

The smell should dissipate in a few hours. If the smell persists, you can check your air filters. A dirty air filter can cause a dusty burning smell downstream. It’s also possible that the heating elements are dirty. Sometimes you can reach these to clean them yourself.

Can plastic pieces in a furnace be dislodged?

Finally, sometimes plastic pieces in the furnace can become dislodged during regular use. In one case, a humidifier had a nozzle installed above the furnace that was supposed to disinfect the air stream. This plastic broke off and fell onto the heating elements.

What does it mean when your air conditioner smells?

When a bad smell starts coming out of your heater or air conditioner, it can feel like a helpless and unavoidable situation. No matter where you attempt to retreat, the smell follows you through air ducts and vents. There are several things that can cause your air conditioner to emit a smell, and different smells point to different issues. So, to rid your home of the stench, you must first decide what exactly your AC smells like. Here are a few unpleasant aromas and what they mean for your air conditioning system.

Why does my AC smell so bad?

If your AC is stinking up your entire house with a rotten, sour, rancid smell, you might have a pest problem on your hands. If a critter crawled up into your air ducts and unfortunately didn’t make it out in time, it could be the smell of decay that is drifting through your home. You’ll want to call a pest control company to take care of things before the stench becomes unbearable.

Why does my AC smell like a locker room?

The smell you’re experiencing is the result of bacteria and mildew growing and thriving in your home’s moist air . You may simply have an indoor humidity problem, which can be solved with a nifty dehumidifier.

Why does my furnace smell like burning dust?

Whether you operate an electric heater, furnace, or heat pump, a system that has remained dormant can accumulate dust and other particles from the air supply in your home. When the heating system is turned on, these materials burn up, causing that short-lived burning dust smell. While you don’t need to contact the fire department, you should take a look just to be sure that there isn’t another source of the smell. You may notice that as the system completes a heating cycle, the odor fades. If it continues after one or two heating cycles, consider contacting an HVAC technician for help.

How to get rid of burning smell in ductwork?

In some cases, rubber, plastic, or other materials end up inside of the ductwork via the air vents. If you smell a burning plastic smell or burning rubber smell that is not consistent throughout your house, try to isolate the location. Inspect the air vents in the area that has a strong burning odor to make sure that there isn’t an obstruction. Just make sure you don’t close your vents because this can affect the balance of your HVAC system and reduce its efficiency. If this doesn’t remedy the burning smell, contact an experienced HVAC technician for help.

Do you need a heater in Florida?

Although you may not need to use your heater much during the winter months in Central Florida, it’s nice to know that you can rely on your heating system during the occasional cold front. But after sitting dormant for months at a time, you may notice an unexpected and unpleasant surprise when you turn on your heater for the first time.

Is a Burning Smell From My Heater Normal?

A burning smell from your heater is normal if it's due to dust buildup after a long warm season, but it can also be cause for alarm if there is another reason for the burning smell.

How Do I Prevent a Burning Smell?

If your heater or furnace gives off a burning smell from dust buildup each winter, you can try several different methods to minimize or avoid the odor before turning it on this season. You can schedule a furnace tune-up from your local HVAC professional, including cleaning your heater's internal components.

Causes of Burning Smell From Your Heater

When your heater or furnace smells like it's burning after being dormant during the warmer months, it's most likely due to burning dust. This is normal and is no cause for alarm. However, if you notice a distinct smell or a smell that lingers longer than a day, you may need to call an HVAC specialist.

Smells to Watch For

Your heater can emit different types of burning smells. Each smell can indicate a different issue or cause for the burning smell, and it's important to know which smells mean minor issues with easy solutions and which smells signal serious problems with safety concerns that you need to address immediately.

Know When to Be Concerned About a Heater Smell Like Burning

A burning smell from your furnace or heater can occur due to the simple issue of dust buildup over the warmer months, or it could be due to a more severe problem. It's important to know when to be concerned so you can fix the issue before it becomes a safety or health hazard.

1. Plastic Parts

There are some plastic parts within the water heater. If the contacts are overheating, then they may generate enough heat to actually melt or burn the plastic components within the water heater. If you suspect this is the case, you should turn off the power to the water heater and wait for a professional to address the problem.

2. Hidden Plastic

This potential cause of that awful burning sound is much easier for homeowners to find and deal with by themselves. Your water heater generates a lot of heat and is quite warm to the touch. If a plastic object is leaning up against the heater, then it may melt or burn.

3. Wire Insulation

Wire insulation has at least some plastic in it. Some electrical problems, wiring issues, and other problems may cause the wire insulation to melt or burn, creating the smell. If this is the problem, you should turn off the power to the water heater and get a professional to fix it.

4. Burning Dust

Are you sure it smells like plastic? If it is a more generic burning smell, then it may be dust that is burning instead. A build-up of dust inside or outside of the water heater could eventually lead to a burning smell, particularly if the heater was turned off for a little while.

5. Gunpowder

Do you think you smell the distinct burnt smell of gunpowder? This could mean that the fan motor or the circuit board has fried or suffered serious damage. You should turn the water heater off and call a professional right away if you smell gunpowder.

6. Overheating

Not sure what else could be causing the problem? Most burning smells are created by water heater overheating for one reason or another and then affecting some component within the heater. Overheating is a safety concern, and it can also damage components of your water heater.

Why does my furnace smell like plastic?

If the plastic or rubber casing or your wires has torn off, the exposed wire can cause sparks and start fires. It can also heat up any nearby objects. If that’s plastic or if the case of the wire itself was plastic, it may cause a plastic burning smell. If you notice exposed wires near your furnace, be sure to call an hvac technician immediately ...

Why does my furnace smell?

Any furnace smell could indicate a problem, whether it’s burning, rotten egg or plastic. If you’re not sure of the cause of your furnace’s odd smell, or if you have found the cause but can’t fix it, call the professionals at Irish Heating and Air.

What to do if you see exposed wires in your furnace?

If you notice exposed wires near your furnace, be sure to call an hvac technician immediately for a furnace repair. It’s critical to get this problem addressed by a professional as soon as you find it, as frayed electrical wiring is a primary cause of house fires.

Can plastic be burnt?

Not only can the smell be annoying, but some plastics create fumes when they are burnt that are not safe to breathe in. First, turn off your furnace can give it time to cool. Then take a peek on top of it, inside it, and in the ducts directly connected to it.

Can plastic burn in a furnace?

A plastic that’s liable to burn in the furnace must have been introduced . Commonly, children or pets place their toys in or near the furnace. Or, plastic objects stored nearby fall in. No matter how the plastic object got in, you will need to find it and remove it.

Why does my water heater smell?

Since a water heater needs a lot of heat to change the temperature of the water, there can sometimes be issues with the parts overheating or deteriorating over time. The water heater has components that can overheat, and you will probably notice this smell when you are trying to get hot water for your home.

Why does my wood burning stove smell like plastic?

The fireplace or a wood burner has a chimney that will need to be cleaned from time to time. If it is not kept clean, the smell will linger, and it can smell like plastic burning. One of the things that makes the smell from burning wood much worse is if the wood is wet. The wood that you use for your fireplace or wood burner should be dried out ...

Why does my house smell like plastic?

House Smells Like Burning Plastic (7 Possible Reasons) Here are seven reasons that your home may smell like burning plastic. 1. Electrical Fire. An electrical fire can cause a burning plastic smell. The burning plastic smell can be an indication that you have an electrical fire. Electrical fires are dangerous as they can be ...

What does it mean when a plastic light smells like fire?

The smell of fire is an excellent warning sign that it is time to get yourself out of the situation. 5. Heating System.

What does it mean when your heating system smells?

Heating System. When you put your heating system on for the first time in the year, you will probably notice a burning plastic-type smell. The heating system is built to move warm air throughout the house. It has components that help to heat the air up and then distribute this throughout your home.

Why does my air conditioner smell?

Essentially, if there is a fire in or near any of the vents to the home, the smell could be permeating throughout the home.

Can an air conditioner overheat?

An air conditioning system can overheat at times. When it starts to overheat, you may notice that there is a burning plastic smell . Those who live in warm climates are going to need their air conditioning to run almost all day and night during certain months of the year.