What Is That Smell From My Furnace? Should I Be Worried?
You’ve just come home from work and walk into a smell that immediately grabs your attention. After a bit of investigation, you realize the smell is coming from your vents. It’s the furnace.
What are the most common reasons for your furnace to smell? The main reasons why your furnace may emit those surprising smells are cracked components, dumbness, intake contamination, gas leaks, obstructions, mold, overheating, old filters, and vent contamination.
Don’t worry, however, not every smell means imminent danger. In fact, the vast majority don’t. Read further to find out more.
Different Smells And What They Mean
Chemical Smell
A chemical smell from your furnace may mean that the heat exchanger is damaged or cracked. The heat exchanger removes the excess heat and fumes from the system’s combustion chamber and directs them from the house.
A damaged or cracked heat exchanger gives way for carbon monoxide gas to accumulate in your house or cause a fire. Ensure that you install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors before turning on your furnace for the cold season and have new batteries for them.
Burning Electrical Smell
This smell indicates that something is burning inside the furnace. There are many close electrical wires inside the furnace, and if they become entangled or lose, they could cause a fire. If they are dislodged and touch the nearby hot metal pieces, they could start a fire.
Dusty Burning Smell
Since the furnace has not been used for a long time, there may be dust and debris accumulation in internal components like around the burner or the heat exchanger. Once it is finally turned on, the dust and debris will burn off, resulting in the dusty burning smell.
The smell is not necessarily a cause of worry as it should wear off after a few hours. To get rid of the smell faster, turn on the furnace during the day and leave your doors and windows open. If the odor does not go away, it may mean that your furnace has some electrical issues.
It could also mean that the air filter is clogged, which overworks the blower motor, causing it to overheat.
Musty, Unpleasant Smell
Since your furnace remains dormant during the warm weather, that can result in molds growing around the inner surfaces, resulting in the musty, unpleasant smell. Ensure that the mold is removed before the spores spread all over your home.
Oily Smell
If you notice a smell of warm or hot oil from your furnace, it means that you have to replace your air filter immediately. The odor may be caused by a leak, heat exchanger failure, burner issues, or exhaust system problems.
When left unattended, it can lead to fumes and flames.
Smoke
When you smell smoke from your furnace, it means that there is about to be a fire around the heating system, or there is already a fire. Sometimes, it may also result from a blocked chimney, which prevents smoke from exiting your home and, instead, flows back via the furnace.
What To Do To Check My Furnace For Trouble
Furnaces are crucial during the winter season, and they require regular maintenance for maximum performance. However, you may not be able to call the professionals every time your furnace is acting up.
Some of the things you can do to check your furnace for trouble before contacting a professional include:
Check the Furnace Filter
Anytime you have a problem with your furnace, the air filter is the first thing you should check. Over time, dust and dirt may accumulate in the filter and clog it, which hinders airflow, keeps your furnace from turning on, or worsens home air quality.
Without proper attention, it may become a fire hazard or break down. Please turn off your thermostat and furnace before doing any inspection on it. To determine when to clean your air filter, hold it against a light source. If no light passes through, it’s time to clean it.
Also, ensure you check the air filter every month, and when replacing it, ensure the arrows of the new filter point in the airflow direction.
Check the Thermostat
• Change the settings to heat and try attempt setting the temperatures 5 degrees above the room temperature.
• Replace the batteries whenever necessary.
• If you have an electromechanical thermostat, ensure you open and gently dust it with a soft paintbrush or soft paper often.
• Check your thermostat’s location to ensure it does not get any false readings from ovens, sunlight, space heaters, lamps, or other heat sources.
Check electrical panel and furnace switch
• Ensure the switch is on.
• Ensure the power at the fuse or breaker box is on.
• Try resetting the breaker by flipping the switch off and on again. Ensure you hear a click.
• Replace the discolored and melted fuse from the fuse box with a new one of the same type and size to restore the power to the fuse box.
• Turn on the furnace and see if it works.
Check furnace flames
- The flames should be blue with only a small yellowish tip.
- The gas valve and the pilot light
- If the furnace’s light is off, you have to try and relight it, but after consulting the manual. Ensure that you leave the gas off for 10-15 minutes before trying to relight the pilot.
Ensure Every Register and Vent is Unblocked and Open
Ensure that any rugs or furniture do not block your vents and registers. They may cause your furnace to break due to excess air pressure.
When To Get Worried About A Smell From Your Furnace
Sometimes, smells from the furnace may not be a sign of a big issue. However, there are times that you need to get worried about the smell in your furnace. If you notice a dusty burning smell that does not go away, it is a sign to worry.
When you experience rotten eggs, dirty socks, or sewage smells from your furnace, it may be another cause of worry.
When To Call A HVAC Technician
• When you need regular maintenance done on your furnace.
• When it has rapid cycling, i.e., if it turns off and on quickly.
• When you hear rattling or any unusual noises.
• When you need to keep increasing your thermostat settings.
• When you notice smoke from the furnace.
• When there is an oil, chemical, or burning smell from the furnace.
• When you have to light the flames yourself.
• If your furnace won’t start.
• If the oils system starts only after its reset.
Ensure that your furnace gets inspected regularly. That can save you a lot of time and help spot small issues before they result in any hazards. If you have to do any maintenance on your furnace, ensure that your hands and feet are dry.
Properly working furnaces not only means that your home is safe, but they also ensure that your whole family is comfortable and warm.
