Air Conditioning / Indoor Air Quality
What’s That Smell Coming From the Heater? Your Nose Might Know
October 7, 2016
There are a variety of stinky smells that can occur when you first turn on the heater after it’s been idle all spring and summer long. Some smells are common and 
completely normal. But you should never ignore a foul odor coming from your furnace. Don’t just cover it up with a Yankee Candle!
When your furnace is not used for a while, dust can collect on the heat exchanger and duct work. When you turn on the furnace, the dust will burn off and release a slight burning odor throughout the home. It’s a familiar odor that your nose knows all about. The smell should disappear in a few hours. Open a window or two and that should help eliminate that ongoing burning smell. It’s usually nothing to be worried about.
If you haven’t changed your air filter for several months it could also be the cause of a funny smell. A clean filter is essential to delivering warm, healthy air to the rooms in your home. The filters take out the allergens and airborne particles, such as mold spores, pollen, dust and pet dander. Filters work to clean the air before your furnace is heated, so that the circulated air is free of allergy-producing chemicals. When the filter becomes dirty or extremely soiled, it cannot work as intended because the fiber filters are clogged with dirt and dust. Some of these contaminants can give off a smell and stink up the house. Your heating system’s life can be extended and malfunctions can be prevented by keeping up with furnace filter changes.
An unusual burning smell could be the furnace blower. The furnace blower works by taking heat from your furnace and sending it around your home. The heating unit’s temperature is managed by the blower, keeping your system from getting too hot internally. When a blower becomes inefficient, the furnace may overheat, producing the burning smell throughout your home. That’s when it’s time to call the Certified Premier Technicians at Bonney Plumbing, Heating and Air.
A mechanical or electrical burning smell coming from the heater is also a sign you should call the HVAC professionals at Bonney as soon as possible. An electrical smell may indicate that certain parts on the inside are burning due to general wear and tear. These parts will possibly need replacing. If you notice electrical smells coming from your furnace, proceed with caution and turn it off immediately.
When it comes to funny smells coming from your furnace, some are completely harmless and others are something you want an HVAC professional to inspect and investigate. Regularly scheduled maintenance of your heating and air conditioning unit by a Bonney Certified Premier HVAC technician can cut down on unusual odors that come from your heating and air system. Don’t hesitate to give Bonney a call at 800-444-0551. Our customer care representatives would love to assist you.
Josh Tyack is the manager of the HVAC repair team at Bonney Plumbing, Sewer, Electrical, Heating & Air. He brings 23 years of experience and knowledge in the heating & air conditioning industry to our company. His dedication to his trade and long-standing expertise has allowed him to help thousands of residential and commercial customers tackle their heating and cooling needs. Our team has you covered with everything from the air filter in your home to the HVAC unit on your roof. Josh holds himself and his entire team to a high standard, making him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the Sacramento area in the HVAC industry.