What’s that smell?

If you suspect an unusual scent coming from your home heater, then it may indicate a serious problem. Different aromas may indicate a separate issue.

What does each of the heater smells mean?

A Guide to Bad Heater Smells

Your heater should not smell bad. When it does, it, unfortunately, will not repair itself and typically requires professional HVAC services.

But, you can get an idea of the problem at hand by taking a whiff. Read on to learn what it may mean when your furnace smells bad.

Smokey

If you smell smoke when you turn on your furnace, do not necessarily panic. After sitting, your heater will burn off dust, creating this scent.

The smell should not last. If it persists, then you may need to change your air filters.

Musty 

If you smell a musty basement scent coming from your heating system, then you probably need it cleaned out rather than repaired. Though your furnace will work fine, you do want to get this taken care of promptly.

The scent indicates moisture buildup within the system, and possibly mold growth. Mold wafting through the air as you run your heater can create health problems for everybody in the home.

Burnt Rubber

This heater burning smell usually indicates worn or broken furnace parts. Wires, the fan belt, or the capacitor may need replacement.

This does not pose a danger. But, letting the problem go too long can lead to more expensive repairs. 

Burnt Sulphur

If you smell a sulphuric scent reminiscent of a gunshot, turn off your heater and call your HVAC company. You may also recognize it as the smell of rotten eggs. This indicates a serious issue.

You may have a fried circuit board. Or, the fan motor may no longer work. When this happens, it could cause a house fire.

Most systems will sense the system overheating and shut off on their own. But, a sensor failure or any glitch in the system can prevent proper protocol, so take care of this right away.

Exhaust 

If you smell chemicals, shut off your heating system. This most likely signals a crack in your heat exchanger.

This poses a serious health risk. With a cracked system, poisonous gasses like carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and sulfur dioxide will leak into your home.

These gasses can quickly cause illness and even death. Call immediately for an emergency inspection.

Burnt Oil

When an oil-powered furnace or space heater smells smokey, turn it off. Inside of the home, you should never be able to detect the scent of the oil.

First, try turning off the system and replacing the filter. If this does not clear the scent, then turn the system off again and call a professional.

Call Your Local HVAC Service

While you may smell your furnace heat up initially, lasting heater smells indicate a problem. Letting them go can lead to more expensive repairs and put you in danger.

We want to help you keep your home a comfortable temperature! Contact us for all of your HVAC needs.