Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now having an unusual smell? You're not alone, because a lot of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s creating this smell, and when you can anticipate it to go away, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t neglect.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two factors why a new furnace might reek.

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 like carbon monoxide naturally produced during the heating process.

When your furnace starts for the first couple of times, the coating may emit a burning smell. This is standard and the smell should dissipate the more your furnace heats.

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to contact a heating and cooling company if the smell lingers. A burning smell that remains can mean the motor is too hot or there’s an electrical problem, among other issues.

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s not running in the summer. That dust will burn off when you switch on your furnace in the fall, creating a burning smell. This smell should subside within a few minutes.

One way you can lessen or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done each year. This is needed to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty good, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run properly during the upcoming heating time of year.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it happens. Here are three other scents you should look out for and what they might mean.

  1. Burning plastic or rubber. If your furnace smells like burning plastic, you might have an electrical problem. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to protect against shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this protective coating. To hinder a fire, switch off your furnace immediately and have it examined out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies include sulfur in natural gas to signal you when there’s a leak. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off as soon as possible, get out of your home and contact 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you sick, plus it’s very flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew growing in your ductwork. We advise having your ductwork checked and cleaned if needed.

Now that you know which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re well-equipped to take care of your new heating system. If you're worried about a strange odor, our Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc HVAC technicians can help. Call us at 602-789-3315 to schedule your appointment right now. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Phoenix and surrounding areas.