You turn your furnace on for the first time in the season. But you furrow your brow — what is that smell? You can’t necessarily put your finger on it, but you’re worried it could mean there’s something wrong with your heating system.
Fortunately, that’s not always the case, but you need to know what the smells are signifying to make sure. Here are three aromas you might smell from your heating system and whether they’re grounds for heating system repair.
Must and Mildew
A musty, damp smell isn’t usually associated with furnaces. It’s more often considered something caused by mold, which tends to love moisture. But believe it or not, there could be mildew and mold lurking in your heating system. And if you smell something musty when you turn it on, that’s likely the scenario you’re in.
If you smell mold, you’ll probably want to have a professional furnace and duct cleaning. This will rid your home of the smell and the spores, which can pose health risks to some people, especially those with asthma or allergies.
Burning Dust
The least worrisome (but still weird) smell you might experience when you turn your system on is burning dust. This smell, even if off-putting, is often harmless! Still, it’s wise to check on some things to make sure your heating system doesn’t have something else wrong with it.
For example, if it’s been a while since you’ve changed your filter, the smell might signify that you need to. It could also indicate that your heating system needs professional cleaning. Check on both to make sure the burning dust isn’t alerting you to a bigger issue.
Metallic Odors
Easily, the most concerning issue would be a sharp, metallic odor coming from your heating system. This is often caused by electrical issues. It might also smell like burning rubber or plastic. Either way, this is something you should address with a professional immediately.
Faulty wiring or malfunctioning equipment can both cause this smell. Regardless, this isn’t something you should handle yourself. If the scent might be an electrical problem, turn off your furnace. Then, contact a professional for repairs.
How to Address Strange Smells From Heating Systems
Strange smells are strange for a reason — they shouldn’t be happening! It’s your system’s way of telling you it needs attention, usually from an HVAC technician. If you’re struggling to identify the smell, a professional specializing in heating and cooling systems will both find and solve the problem for you.
Handling heating system repairs yourself will likely make the issue worse at best and can be dangerous at worst. Don’t risk it; unless the smell is an easy fix, have a pro handle it.
A Professional’s Nose Knows How to Handle Your Heating System Issues
Do you still need help diagnosing the smell from your furnace? Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is here to help. Our team can find the source of the issue and fix it to keep your home comfortable and safe. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and learn more about our services.
