Do New Furnaces Smell?
If your new furnace smells funny or strange, don’t dismiss it as a figment of your imagination. Please disregard it as well. While furnaces usually do an excellent job of keeping Toronto residents warm during the long, harsh winters, issues arise from time to time.
Let’s take a look at the various types of strange furnace odors to see where these common furnace problems originate and when it’s necessary to contact a heating professional for repair.
Also check: How Often Should Furnace Cycle?
The Burning Smell: (Is It Normal For Furnace To Smell Like Burning ?)
It may sound frightening, but when you light your furnace for the first time in the fall, you may notice a burning odor. The odor is usually caused by a few months of dust. This dust usually burns off harmlessly in a matter of hours. However, if the smell persists after 24 hours or the furnace is smoking, you may have a more serious problem. There is no danger of fire or health problems from burning dust. If the odor bothers you, you should schedule a furnace cleaning or adjustment before turning on the unit for the first time. This reduces dust odors while ensuring that your furnace runs safely and efficiently.
New Furnace Odor:
While not as pleasant as the “new car smell,” newly installed furnaces can emit an unpleasant odor when first turned on. This is due to the new heat exchanger’s protective oil coating, which burns out quickly.
The Smokiness: (Smoke Smell From Furnace)
Furnace smoke is bad news because it emits a strong odor and sets off smoke detectors. This usually means that the furnace’s or chimney’s chimney is clogged, preventing smoke from escaping the house. Close the gas line and turn off the furnace at the isolation valve. Then, to resolve the issue, contact an expert.
The Smell of Hot Plastic, Rubber, or Metal:
Assume you detect the odor of overheated metal, plastic, or rubber. In that case, you’re in jeopardy because one or more of your furnace’s components is defective, and overheating can quickly start a home fire. Turn off the heating system and call a furnace repair service right away.
Septic Tanks or Rotten Eggs:
Attention: Danger! The “smell” of rotten eggs and sewage is caused by gas companies’ substances added to natural gas to make gas leaks easier to detect. It’s dangerous to stay at home if your furnace smells like this. Go to your neighborhood and call an HVAC technician right away. Do not re-enter the house until the technician has cleared it completely.
The Fragrance of Oil:
The aroma of burning oil from a kerosene furnace has two connotations. First, the filter in your furnace may be clogged, and you will need to clean or replace it yourself (do this at least every three months during the heating season – whether it smells or not). If the odor persists, you have an oil leak on your furnace, which requires the Services Of a Professional.
Musty Odor:
A musty odor indicates that mold or mildew is present nearby. Here’s a thought. Is the mold in the air conditioner right above the furnace or deep within the heating and cooling ducts? To resolve this issue, contact your furnace service provider. It not only stinks, but it is also hazardous to indoor air quality and health. Before you panic, make certain that the source of the odor is not something common.
Are there any air intakes near odor-producing objects, such as trash cans or compost bins? Is the scent limited to one room or area, or does it pervade the entire house? Once you are reasonably certain that there is no obvious cause, contact a technician to have the vents and furnace checked. Mold removal and diagnosis, as well as moisture problems, are all part of mold remediation.
The repair is simple if the cause of the excessive moisture is a leaking pipe or a damaged roof. Installing a dehumidifier will reduce the moisture level in the air, prevent mold, and improve the comfort of your home if the air in your home is too humid.
Chemical Odor:
The heat exchanger may be cracked if the furnace smells of formaldehyde or other chemicals (especially if it makes a rattling noise). Failure of this dangerous furnace can result in a fire and toxic carbon monoxide gas release. Before calling the HVAC Service Technician, get everyone out of the house.
Also check: Furnace Maintenance Checklist – 7 Easy Steps
The Odor of Gas: (Gas Furnace Smell)
It’s very straightforward. You may have a natural gas problem if you smell sulfur or rotten eggs from your furnace or vents. As soon as possible, leave the house and turn off the gas. Then contact your gas company. You can safely turn off your home’s gas so the technician can diagnose the problem.
Natural gas leaks can result from cracked or damaged heat exchangers or gas line issues. Never attempt to diagnose a leak on your own. Instead, after the gas has been safely turned off, trained technicians are equipped and knowledgeable about troubleshooting faults.
Conclusion:
Leave it to Husky if you notice an unpleasant odor from your furnace. Find out the answers to your questions. Our skilled technicians provide dependable furnace repair services. If replacing is the best option, do so.
Never ignore these warning signs from your furnace. Please contact us right away for a solution.
FAQs
Can Febreze be sprayed on a furnace filter?
When changing filters, Febreze is a good antibacterial spray because it kills bacteria that pass through filters and helps spread a fresh scent throughout your home.
Is it possible to put something in your furnace to make it smell better?
Clip-on air fresheners, dryer sheets, essential oils, and scented sachets in your air vents are all popular ways to keep your home smelling fresh.
Why does my furnace stink up my house?
This is normal and not cause for concern, as dust can accumulate on your furnace in the spring and summer. When you light the furnace and turn on the heat, dirt and dust burn and enter your home through the ducts. This odor usually goes away within a few minutes to a few hours.
How can I get my furnace to stop smelling?
Cleaning this unpleasant odor from your furnace and colorspace the air filter thoroughly removes this unpleasant odor. If the odor persists, the air ducts may be clogged and require professional cleaning.
