Why Does my Heater Smell So Bad?

Why does my heater smell? When it comes to furnaces, there are little things you can look for that are typically signs of bigger problems on the horizon. You can also smell signs of trouble on the horizon. Regardless of the type of heating system you use, never ignore strange odors. If your heater is giving off a bad odor, it might be time for a tune-up. Learn more about why heaters smell and how to fix the problem.

Why Does My Heater Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

If you notice this unmistakable scent inside your home, there’s a chance you’re dealing with a gas leak and your furnace could be responsible. Should you ever encounter this, you will want to gather your family and leave the home immediately. This can be a potentially hazardous situation so once you’ve vacated to a safe place, report the leak to your gas company. Once the leak has been repaired, call a reliable HVAC technician such as ThermEnergy to inspect your furnace.

Why Does My Heater Smell Like Smoke?

It’s typical to notice a burning smell when you fire up your furnace after the summer season because of the dust buildup that has occurred. During the first 24 hours, you should expect to notice a burning smell coming from your furnace, but if it persists, you’ve got a serious problem on your hands. If it’s been a couple days of furnace use during a new cold season and the burning smell has yet to subside, use your furnace’s shutoff valve to turn off the appliance and also cut the gas supply. Now is the time to call a trusty HVAC technician to take the reins and let them know of the measures you’ve taken.

Why Does My Heater Smell Like Metal, Plastic, or Rubber?

Whether it’s burning metal, plastic, or rubber – you could be dealing with a motor function or electrical function within your furnace, which is causing internal components to get too hot or potentially even burning. This is absolutely a problem you’ll need to address head-on as the likelihood for a fire to start is much higher. More often than not, these odors can be traced back to an electrical issue. Turn off the power supply to the filter and contact a certified HVAC technician right away.

Why Does My Heater Smell Like Sewage?

A noticeable sewer scent coming from your furnace could be pointing to a gas leak, and this is definitely something you’ll want to take seriously. There is also the chance it could be coming from your sewer lines themselves, if you’ve been going through a period of little to no precipitation, this could be the case. If you believe you’re dealing with a dry sewer trap, you can always try pouring some water down the floor drain in your basement. If this doesn’t make things better, it could be an indication of a sewer leak. If you bring in a sewer line repair technician, they will be able to locate and repair any broken wastewater lines.

Why Does My Heater Smell Like Must?

It isn’t uncommon for mold and mildew to form inside the ductwork of your home and on the unused furnace components. If it isn’t a large amount of mold and mildew, it might clear out on its own volition after a few cycles. If you’ve run your furnace a handful of times and still notice a strong smell of mold and mildew during the heating cycle, it’s possible that it has fully engulfed your ductwork. Should this be the case, your furnace will require a deep, thorough clean. You can use bleach to remove any mold or mildew from the various furnace components, but be careful around wires and outlets.

Why Does My Heater Smell Like Chemicals?

Chemical smells are never a good sign when running our furnaces. This could be a sign of a damaged heat exchange. Toxic gasses are created during the heating cycle as part of the combustion process. Heat exchangers are encased in a protective chamber in our furnaces to keep these harmful substances out of our homes. Turn off the power to your furnace and call a certified HVAC technician right away.

Hire Professional HVAC Services!

Why does my heater smell so bad? Chemical, sewage, routine eggs, or prolonged burning – regardless of the odor you’re dealing with, the experts at ThermEnergy will have things back in working order before you know it. Call our licensed technicians today!