Blog

Furnaces aren’t exactly known for having a fresh smell, but you’ll immediately notice something is off if your unit smells strange when you turn it on. These odd smells aren’t universal though, and it’s important to be able to distinguish the sources in order to properly address the issue.

In this post, your heating and  air conditioning maintenance  experts at Home Air Services share about different furnace smells and what they mean.

Musty Odors

A dusty or musty odor is the most common furnace smell and often manifests during the colder seasons. It’s caused by dirt and dust clogging the filters, which can affect the unit’s ability to run as efficiently as possible.

To take care of this problem, simply replace or clean the air filter and the smell of burning dust will be no more. For larger furnaces, it may be a good idea to get in touch with your local  duct cleaning companies  – especially if the dust and dirt buildup extends beyond the filter.

Electrical Burn

A burning electrical smell may be the result of an overheated furnace motor, which occurs when the bearings have worn down significantly. If you notice this odor, immediately turn off the unit, as an overheated motor can become so hot that it melts the wires. Call your local heating company and have it checked so they can properly address the issue.

Chemical Odors

A furnace that has a strange chemical smell probably has a cracked heat exchanger. This is a serious problem, as it may allow carbon monoxide to enter your home through the ventilation system. Call your local HVAC company as soon as possible if you notice this smell, and vacate the premises if your carbon monoxide detectors go off.

At Home Air Services, we’re one of the top  home heating companies  in the DC Metropolitan area. You can count on us to address any strange smells and have your furnace running and in top shape again as soon as possible. Call us at (301) 585-8100 to learn more about our services.

The post Identifying Furnace Odors appeared first on Home Air Services.