Furnace Odor: Why Is Your Furnace Emitting a Burning Smell?

A household furnace is a source of welcoming warmth during the first cold snap of the season, but the last thing you want when you dial up the thermostat is to be greeted with a foul odor or burning smell. While not every odor indicates a serious problem, it’s important to rule out serious issues that may pose a danger to you and your family. The following tips can help you resolve the problem, prevent it from reoccurring and give you the information you need to keep your home safe and warm.

Burning Smell at Start Up

A furnace that sits idle during the warm-weather months is subject to a build-up of dust and dirt. In central heating systems, the dust not only collects on the heating element but in the ductwork as well. When you switch on the furnace after months of disuse, the heater will burn off the accumulated debris. Scheduling a maintenance visit at the start of the heating season is the best way to prevent the indoor air pollution that burning dust causes.

Electrical Burning Smell

Malfunctioning furnace parts can emit a burning smell that indicates serious problems, such as a broken heat exchanger, a worn electrical connection or an overheated motor. If a cursory inspection doesn’t reveal the source of the problem, turn off the furnace and call in a professional HVAC technician. Improperly operating heaters are a common cause of household fires and of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Hard-to-Identify Odors

When a furnace emits a smell of burning plastic, an item that has inadvertently been dropped in the register or grill is often the cause. Small toys used by children or pets are likely culprits. Spills from household products like cleaners can produce hard-to-identify burning smells too. In damp environments, mold growing inside filters, ducts and system components can lead to musty odors that are often mistaken for something burning.

Maintenance Matters

Whether it’s a burning smell caused by a clogged or dirty air filter or a smoky scent from a blocked flue, regular maintenance is the most effective way to prevent unhealthy and unpleasant furnace odors. Regular tune-ups also ensure that your heater operates efficiently, so you don’t pay more than you need to on monthly energy bills. Because proper maintenance extends the heater’s service life and helps prevent costly repairs, you’ll save more and breathe easier over the long run as well.

It’s time to change your Albuquerque, NM home’s energy use. Call Daniel’s Heating and Air Conditioning at (505) 898-8860 for energy-efficient HVAC services.