Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now having a weird smell? You’re not alone, because a lot 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 ignore.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two explanations why a new furnace might stink.

Protective Finish

Your furnace has a special finish on some parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely exhausts gases like carbon monoxide naturally made during the heating process.

When your furnace runs for the first couple of times, the coating may release a burning smell. This is standard and the smell should dissipate the more your furnace operates.

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to contact a heating and cooling company if the smell lingers. A burning smell that lingers can mean the motor has overheated or there’s an electrical problem, among other problems.

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s off in the spring and summer. That dust will burn off when you turn on your furnace in the fall, making a burning smell. This smell should subside within a few minutes.

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

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Disregard

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

  1. Burning plastic or rubber. If your furnace smells like burning plastic, you might have an electrical problem. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to prevent shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this preventive coating. To hinder a fire, switch off your furnace immediately and have it checked out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to alert you when there’s a leakage. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off immediately, leave your home and contact 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you ill, 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 advise having your ductwork inspected and cleaned if needed.

Now that you know which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re prepared to take care of your new furnace. If you have concerns about an odd odor, our Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning HVAC technicians can assist you. Give us a call at 512-355-1482 to schedule your appointment now. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Pflugerville and surrounding neighborhoods.