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 causing this smell, and when you can look forward to it to go away, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t ignore.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two factors why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Finishing

Your furnace has a special application on certain parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely removes gases such as 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 typical and the smell should go away the more your furnace heats.

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

Dust

Dust collects 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, creating a burning smell. This smell should go away within a few minutes.

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

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Ignore

While it’s less common for a new system to require 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 prevent shocks, and this smell is a signal that heat is melting this protective coating. To avoid a fire, turn off your furnace immediately and have it examined out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to alert you when there’s a leak. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, shut it off right away, leave your home and contact 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you sick, plus it’s extremely flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew developing in your ductwork. We suggest having your ductwork inspected and cleaned if required.

Now that you know which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re prepared to take care of your new heater. If you have concerns about a strange odor, our Anderson Heating & A/C HVAC technicians can assist you. Call us at 775-230-7628 to schedule your appointment today. We provide quality, affordable furnace repair in Carson City and surrounding areas.