Why Does My New Furnace Smell?
Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now noticing a weird smell? You’re not alone, because many other homeowners also have this happen at first. Let’s review what’s creating this smell, and when you can anticipate it to subside, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t disregard.
Why Your New Furnace Smells?
There are two factors why a new furnace might smell:
- Protective Coating: Your furnace has a special finish on specific parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely gets rid of gases including carbon monoxide naturally produced during the heating process.
When your furnace runs for the first couple of times, the coating may give off a burning smell. This is typical and the smell should disperse the more your furnace runs.
To be on the safe side, you’ll want to call a heating and cooling company if the smell continues. A burning smell that lingers can mean the motor has overheated or there’s an electrical problem, among other concerns. - Dust: Dust accumulates inside your furnace when it’s off in the spring and summer. That dust will burn off when you switch on your furnace in the fall, making a burning smell. This smell should subside within a few minutes.
One way you can decrease or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done every single year. This is necessary to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty good, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run perfectly during the upcoming heating period.
3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Ignore
While it’s less common for a new system to necessitate furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other scents you should watch for and what they might mean.
- Burning plastic or rubber. If your furnace smells like burning plastic, you might have an electrical problem. Electrical wiring is protected in plastic to protect against shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this protective coating. To avoid a fire, turn off your furnace right away and have it examined out by an HVAC technician.
- Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to warn you when there’s a leakage. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off immediately, get out of your home and call 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, plus it’s extremely flammable and explosive.
- Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew developing in your ductwork. We suggest having your ductwork checked and cleaned if necessary.
Now that you understand which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re ready to take care of your new heating system. If you’re worried about a weird odor, our Tokay Heating & Air HVAC technicians can help. Give us a call at (209) 257-3156 to schedule your appointment now. We provide quality, affordable furnace repair in Lodi and surrounding communities.
