“It’s freezing in here,” you mutter one frosty January morning. You flick on your furnace, eager to warm your icy toes, only to be greeted by the foul smell of something burning. As you hurriedly switch the system back off, an image of your house catching ablaze drifts through your thoughts.
If your heater smells like burning, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your furnace is about to blow up, but it could point to a problem with the system that requires speedy heating system repair in Tallahassee, FL. Below, discover why a heater might smell like it’s burning and what to do about it.
Top Reasons Why Your Heater Smells Like It’s About To Catch Fire
There are plenty of reasons why a furnace might smell like it’s burning, from dust buildup to junk blocking the unit. Let’s delve into these top causes of burning odors and how to fix them.
You’ve Got Dust Bunnies in There
If your furnace only smells like it’s burning when you first turn it on for the season, this is generally no big deal and nothing to worry about. When your furnace sits unused over the summer, dust builds up on the burners and heat exchanger. After a few minutes of running the system, the dust accumulation burns off, and the burning smell should go away. If it doesn’t fade in short order, you may want to call a pro to take a peek.
Keeping your furnace tidy even when you’re not using it can help stop a burning stench when you turn it on. Wipe the system down with a damp cloth to remove built-up dust.
You Can’t Remember the Last Time You Changed Your Filter
If your heater smells like burning, maybe you haven’t changed your filter in many months, or perhaps you’ve never replaced it at all and are still using the original filter. That’s a big mistake as dirty filters are a big cause of burning smells in furnaces. Filthy filters also sometimes smell like mildew. Yuck!
If your air filter is clogging, simply replace the filter with a new one (or clean the filter if it’s washable). How often should you replace the filter? That depends on its thickness. If your filter is just 1-2 inches thick, swap it out every one to three months. Replace filters that are 3-4 inches every six to nine months. The thickest filters, which measure 5-6 inches, need replacing every nine to 12 months.
There’s Something Stuck in the Furnace
Take a whiff while standing next to your furnace. Does it smell like burning plastic, rubber, or hair? There’s a good chance you have something stuck somewhere in or around your furnace. It could be a stray rubber band or your little angel’s favorite toy (so that’s where their superhero figurine went). Human hair and pet dander can cause your furnace to smell like it’s burning, too.
There could also be an object or debris caught in your ductwork. When hot air from the furnace moves through your ducts, you might notice a burning odor in certain rooms.
Try to figure out where the odor is coming from, and then start looking for the culprit. If you think there’s something lodged inside the furnace or your ducts and you can’t reach it, call a pro to handle it for you.
Electrical Issues Are Plaguing Your Furnace
If you’re still wondering why your heater smells like burning and can’t find the cause, you might have a way bigger problem on your hands. Electrical issues, like faulty wiring, might cause the odor you’re smelling.
Furnaces have a safety mechanism that should shut a unit off when it becomes dangerously hot. But if this mechanism stops working and doesn’t trigger, your furnace could overheat and might even start a fire.
Faulty electrical wiring or a motor overheating aren’t problems you can fix yourself. You’ll need to call an expert technician from Cooper’s Plumbing & Air.
Other Odors That Spell Trouble
A burnt odor isn’t the only stench you should watch for with home heating systems. If your furnace smells musty, there could be mold or mildew growing in the furnace or ductwork. Filters can trap mildew and mold, too. A musty smell is problematic because it means you could be breathing in mold spores, so you’ll want to track down the source of the stink right away.
If you smell sewage odors wafting through the vents, the problem likely comes from your plumbing, not the heater. You might have a busted sewer line, so call a plumber to check.
The worst odor your furnace can give off is the stench of rotten eggs. Unless you’ve dropped an egg somewhere and forgotten to clean it up, this is a telltale sign that the unit is leaking gas into your home. Natural gas fumes could make your family extremely sick, and they’re very flammable.
Don’t try to fix the problem yourself if you smell gas. Leave your home and call the gas company for help right away.
How To Prevent Your Furnace From Smelling Like It’s on Fire
The best way to keep your furnace from smelling like it’s burning is to schedule heater maintenance (try to shoot for once per year). When a technician arrives for maintenance, they’ll clean the heater thoroughly to get rid of dust and gunk that could cause a burning odor.
In between maintenance visits, be sure to replace or clean your filter. Not only can replacing the filter reduce burning smells, but it’ll also keep your house’s air clean and smelling nice.
Got a Stinky Furnace? Call Our Repair Experts at Cooper’s Plumbing & Air
If your heater smells like burning and you can’t figure out where the odor is coming from, the smartest thing to do is call our experts at Cooper’s Plumbing & Air. We’ll track down the source of the stink and inspect your furnace for problems that might require repairs. We’re also experts at sizing a tankless water heater, so if you’re in the market for a new one, give us a ring.
To schedule service, call (866) 464-7132.