Have you recently had a new furnace installed and are now having a strange smell? You're not alone, because plenty of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s creating this smell, and when you can look forward to it to go away, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t disregard.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two explanations why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Coating

Your furnace has a special coating on some 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 release a burning smell. This is normal and the smell should disperse the more your furnace operates.

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

Dust

Dust accumulates inside your furnace when it’s not running in the spring and summer. That dust will burn off when you flip on your furnace in the fall, producing 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 every year. This is necessary to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty applicable, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run smoothly during the upcoming heating season.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

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

  1. Burning plastic or rubber. If your furnace smells like burning plastic, you might have an electrical issue. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to avoid shocks, and this smell is a signal that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To prevent a fire, switch off your furnace immediately and have it inspected 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, leave your home and call 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you sick, plus it’s highly flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew growing in your ductwork. We recommend having your ductwork checked and cleaned if needed.

Now that you are aware which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re well-equipped to take care of your new heating system. If you have concerns about a strange odor, our Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling HVAC technicians can assist you. Contact us at 740-474-5940 to schedule your appointment today. We offer quality, affordable furnace repair in Circleville and surrounding areas.