Have you recently had a new furnace installed and are now experiencing an unusual smell? You’re not alone, because many other homeowners also have this happen 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 factors why a new furnace might stink.

Protective Coating

Your furnace has a special application on certain parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely exhausts gases such as carbon monoxide naturally produced during the heating process.

When your furnace runs for the first couple of times, the coating may give off a burning smell. This is normal and the smell should go away the more your furnace operates.

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to contact a heating and cooling company if the smell persists. A burning smell that remains 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 off in the spring and summer. That dust will burn off when you turn on your furnace in the fall, creating a burning smell. This smell should go away within a few minutes.

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

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Disregard

While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it happens. Here are three other odors you should look 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 protected in plastic to protect against shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this preventive coating. To avoid a fire, turn 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 alert you when there’s a leakage. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, shut it off right away, get out of your home and dial 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you ill, 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 recommend having your ductwork examined 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 furnace. If you’re worried about a strange odor, our Pepper AC & Heat HVAC technicians can assist you. Give us a call at 940-202-1184 to schedule your appointment today. We provide quality, affordable furnace repair in Justin and surrounding neighborhoods.