Have you recently had a new furnace put in and are now having a strange smell? You’re not alone, because a lot of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s leading to this smell, and when you can anticipate it to disappear, 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 reek.

Protective Finishing

Your furnace has a special coating on some parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely exhausts gases like carbon monoxide naturally created 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 dissipate 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 remains can mean the motor has overheated or there’s an electrical problem, among other issues.

Dust

Dust collects inside your furnace when it’s idle in the summer. That dust will burn off when you flip on your furnace in the fall, producing a burning smell. This smell should disappear within a few minutes.

One way you can lessen or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done every single year. This is necessary to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty good, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run perfectly during the upcoming heating time of year.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Disregard

While it’s less common for a new system to necessitate furnace repair, it can happen. 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 difficulties. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to avoid shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this protective coating. To hinder a fire, turn off your furnace right away 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 leak. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off as soon as possible, get out of your home and dial 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 advise having your ductwork examined and cleaned if required.

Now that you know which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re ready to take care of your new heater. If you have concerns about a weird odor, our Central Heating & Plumbing HVAC technicians can assist you. Contact us at 724-401-1843 to schedule your appointment today. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in New Castle and surrounding neighborhoods.