Have you recently had a new furnace installed and are now having an unusual smell? You’re not alone, because a lot of other homeowners also have this happen at first. Let’s review what’s leading to this smell, and when you can look forward to it to disappear, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t disregard.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two factors why a new furnace might stink.

Protective Finishing

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

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

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

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, 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 each 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 time of year.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Disregard

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 protected in plastic to avoid shocks, and this smell is a signal that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To prevent a fire, turn off your furnace right away and have it inspected out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to signal you when there’s a problem. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, shut it off immediately, get out of your home and dial 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, plus it’s extremely flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew flourishing in your ductwork. We recommend having your ductwork inspected and cleaned if necessary.

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’re worried about a weird odor, our Pepper AC & Heat HVAC technicians can help. Contact us at 940-202-1184 to schedule your appointment now. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Justin and surrounding communities.