Forgive the pun, but a furnace smell in your home is nothing to sneeze at. Rather, it’s something to be taken seriously, because it can be the indication of a growing problem. So, what is the source of your particular odor? Before calling on the help of a professional, take a look at these possibilities and see if one of them fits:
Burning Dust
This is an odor that you’ll usually smell at the beginning of the winter season, because dust that has accumulated while the furnace hasn’t been used gets burned off when you switch it on. This is harmless, unless it occurs for more than a couple of hours.
Electrical
An electrical smell from a bad mechanical component is something you’ll want to pay attention to, because it can indicate that your overall system is failing and could break down at any moment. It’s a good idea to get the system checked out before it shuts down unexpectedly or, worse, starts a fire.
Musty
When moisture in your ductwork causes the accumulation of mold, the ensuing musty smell can also indicate unhealthy air for those who suffer from asthma and other respiratory issues. Call an HVAC professional to clean the ducts and fix the problem.
Smoky
Closing individual registers throughout your home is a great way to control which rooms are treated by your heating system. If you shut more than 20 percent of those registers, though, you may experience a smoky smell from heat resistance and buildup.
Fuel
Smelling a gas leak from your furnace is definitely a cause for immediate concern. The odor will be reminiscent of rotten eggs, and if this is what you smell, it’s time to get out of the house and call your local fire department or the gas company to check it out.
If you need more assistance in figuring out what that furnace smell is, or have other HVAC-related questions, contact the friendly professionals at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We currently serve the needs of Lorain, Ohio, and the surrounding area with more than 50 years of combined experience.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnace smells and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “piotr-marcinski/Shutterstock”
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area