When you turn the furnace on after a long break over the summer, you may notice some unusual smells. Some smells, especially burning smells, are to be expected as the furnace burns off the layers of dust that build up over the summer. However, other smells can be a sign of a serious and potentially dangerous problem. So, here’s what you need to know about furnace smells and what they might mean for you home.
Smells Your Furnace May Emit & What They Mean
Rotten Egg Smell
If you’re smelling rotten eggs form your furnace, you know something needs to be done. Obviously, this is not a smell you can just live with. A rotten egg smell probably indicates a gas leak. Natural gas is fairly odorless, but gas companies will add a smell to them so that you can identify a gas leak.
If you smell a sulfur odor (like rotten eggs), turn off the furnace and open the windows to vent the home. Leave the home, and call your gas company. They will help you locate the source of the smell so you can get the right professional in to address it.
Electrical Burning Smell
This is another distinct smell. If you’re noticing a smell that smells like an electrical component is getting hot, then that’s probably exactly what the problem is: an interior component on the furnace is getting too hot. Call your HVAC technician for help with this particular problem.
Many modern furnaces have safety mechanisms in place that cause the furnace to shut down in this instance. If the system does not shut down, then you need to shut it off and do not turn it back on until you have had a technician in to look at it. After the repair, keep your eye on the furnace to ensure the smell does not return.
Metallic Smell
Mechanical or metallic smells can indicate that parts inside the furnace are burning or melting. This can happen as the furnace ages, because wear and tear makes the system’s components vulnerable. This smell indicates your furnace needs repair, but the good news is that these repairs are typically minor, so replacing the part doesn’t cost much money.
Burnt Dust Smell
The burning dust smell that happens when you first turn on the furnace is fairly commonplace, and not something most homeowners even notice. However, do pay attention to this smell if it doesn’t go away after your first few days of running the furnace. If you still notice it, then change the air filter. If that does not fix the problem, you’ll need to call a service technician to rule out any further issues.
Call Aladdin for Furnace Repair in Newbury Park, CA & Surrounding Areas
If you are noticing one of these unusual smells from your furnace in your Southern California home, Aladdin AC is here to help. Contact us online today to have your system evaluated from our team of expert HVAC technicians, and let us address the source of your unusual smell.
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