As we shift our thinking from AC to heating, it’s time that we get our furnaces ready for the colder weather that is coming our way. As we prepare our homes for the switch, you may find that when you switch that heat on, there are some strange smells coming from the vents in your home. If that’s the case, there is likely a reason for it. Hal Mechanical is here to talk about some of the strange smells that can be linked to your furnace and what they mean.
Why Does My Furnace Smell Like Something is Burning?
There are several smells that can come from the vents when you turn your furnace on. Not all of them are a cause for concern, but there are certainly some that will require some action on your part.
– Burning Dust: The most common smell that is associated with the furnace is the smell of burning dust. This is a smell that you usually get when you are turning your furnace on for the first time after it has been off for a long period of time. If you smell it, you should only get that smell the first time. It quickly burns off and then the furnace will be smell free.
– Rotten Eggs: Natural gas is a fuel that is commonly used to power furnaces and create heat. This low cost fuel is great because it can power so many appliances. However, it is also highly flammable and odor free. Because it is odorless, manufacturers have added sulfur to it so that a leak can be easily detected. If you happen to smell natural gas in your home, turn off all of the gas burning appliances right away and call for professional assistance.
– Metallic or Plastic: Your furnace is built with several metal and plastic parts to help it run. While these parts are all built to withstand high levels of heat, they can start to have issues as your furnace gets older. If you smell a strong plastic or metallic smell coming from your vents, it could be certain parts of your furnace are overheating and need to be replaced.
– Dirty Socks: One of the worst smells that can come from your furnace is the smell of dirty socks. This is usually linked to bacteria growing in your furnace coil system. Any rapid change in the temperature can cause condensation that leads to bacteria growth. It’s nothing that an HVAC professional can’t fix though.
Furnace Tune Ups, Repairs & More in Aliante, Desert Shores, Centennial, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Lone Mountain Village, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, Tuscany Village, Whitney, Winchester & Las Vegas Nevada
If you are smelling unusual and unpleasant smells coming from your vents and suspect your furnace is the cause, it’s time to call on the professionals at Hal Mechanical to get to the bottom of it. We will work to diagnose the problem and get it repaired as soon as possible so that your home can be comfortable even when the weather takes a turn. Call us today!
