When you first turn your heat on this fall, will it perform the way you need it to? Or will it have problems with performance or efficiency? Will it need repairs before it can keep you properly cozy? Will it perhaps make a strange smell?
Often, an odor coming from your heating system is a sign that something is wrong. But sometimes, it’s perfectly normal, and you shouldn’t be too worried. What’s the difference? Why would your heater cause odd smells? How can you tell if you need heating repair? Here are the details you should know.
Burnt Dust
The most likely scenario is that your heating system makes a smell when you first turn it on because it is not clean. The dust from many months of disuse is scorching in the heat, and it smells burnt and dry. If this is all that’s going on, the smell will fade away within an hour. We recommend airing your house out during this time.
But of course, you don’t want your windows open! You turned on the heat because you were chilly! So the best option is to address this before it happens. Have heating maintenance done before you need to turn on the heat. The technician will clean away all that dust as part of the tune-up process, and there will be nothing to scorch or make a bad smell when you do need to use the heat.
Other Burning Smells
What if that scorched smell doesn’t go away within the hour? Or what if it smells more like overheated metal or melting plastic instead of just hot dust? This is a genuine concern because you don’t want any of your heating system’s components overheating. That can lead to fused-together wiring, burned-out fan motors, or the system shutting off as a safety precaution because it got too hot.
These smells can indicate that there’s a real hazard, such as an electrical problem or something potentially catching fire. It’s time for professional help! Get repairs as promptly as possible from a qualified HVAC technician.
Fish
What do dead fish and electrical fires have in common? They both release ammonia into the air! That means that if you smell a fishy odor in your home when you haven’t been cooking any seafood, it’s entirely possible that you’ve got an electrical fire starting. Turn off the heating system and get help immediately.
Eggs
More food smells? Well, natural gas has no odor, but a chemical is added which makes it smell sulfurous, like too many hard-boiled eggs. If your furnace uses natural gas and you smell something like that in your home, evacuate. You’ve got a gas leak. Call for help from your natural gas provider, or dial 911, once you’ve gotten a safe distance away.
If you have any concerns about possible odors or other heating issues, don’t take the risk. Get heating repair in Mandeville, LA right away.
When you need it done right, contact Professional Heating & Air.