Have you experienced turning on the heater and then smelling something burning around the house? Then you start panicking and running around the house screaming for your life. You ran into the kitchen checking the stove or oven if you left something cooking and then you realized you don’t know how to cook. Checking all the electrical outlets around the house, you don’t see anything that might cause the burning smell.
If you have checked everywhere and can’t find the source of the smell, then there’s one area left that you should look into. The burning smell might be coming from your heater. This can cause great concern as there might be something wrong with your HVAC unit. And this should not be ignored as it can cause potential danger for you and your family if no proper action has been taken properly. Check out the best HVAC technicians around the area if you need heating and cooling services.
There are several reasons why your heater smells weird and is an indication of a bigger problem in your HVAC unit.
- If your heater smells like burning rubber or plastic, it means that the furnace has worn-out components that need to be replaced. There is also a possibility that a wiring installation inside the furnace has melted and needs to be replaced immediately to avoid a potential fire hazard. Contact your HVAC technician for heating and cooling repair needs.
- If you notice that your heater smells like a musty smell, it means that there has been a build-up of molds and mildew in your heating coils or ductwork. Though the furnace can kill off the bacteria since it gets hot, there are still parts of the heater that does not get hot enough which becomes a breeding ground for microorganisms. This is a serious problem since when molds get in the air, it can cause severe allergic reactions. Better call your trusted HVAC specialist to properly address the issue.
- If your heater smells like burning dust, it means that there could be a build-up of dust or debris inside the furnace particularly if it’s your first time using it after a long while. Check your air filter since it can be clogged with dust and debris that might cause the smell. Replace it with a new one or if it is reusable, make sure that you thoroughly cleaned it before putting it back.
- If you smell rotten eggs or a sulfuric kind of smell in your heater, it is an indication that there is a gas leak in your home. Gas furnaces typically have gas lines in which the heat flows through and warms up your home. If there is even a small leak in those gas lines, it can cause a small spark and ignite a fire or explosion. This is dangerous and you need to immediately contact your HVAC technician.
The unnatural smell coming from your furnace can be alarming. It is important that you make sure that your HVAC unit is regularly checked by professionals. Emergency heating and cooling repairs due to unit issues can be troublesome and costly. Thus, regular maintenance for your unit is non-negotiable and should be done by experts that have years of experience like Tri-City Heating & Air Conditioning offers the highest quality of heating and cooling services in Colorado. Call now!
