Are You Getting Bad Furnace Smells?

1. Are You Getting Bad Furnace Smells? If your furnace is working the way it should be, then it should not be creating any type of odor. Furnace smells are indicative of some preventable or correctable issue that you should address and not ignore. Not all problems are indicated by furnace smells, but if you do find your unit is producing an odor, it will need to be repaired. Here at J&M Heating and Cooling, we can help you learn about different furnace smells, so that you can catch any issue that may arise. Below are a few common furnace smells that your furnace may produce and what those smells may indicate. Minor Problem Furnace Smells This section will address specific furnace smells that may indicate minor problems. Even though these problems are not all that serious, they do not need to go unnoticed. If you have any of these issues with your unit, J&M can provide the repair service you need to have clean air once again. Dusty Smells Furnace smells that smell like dust most commonly occur when the furnace has not been used for a long period of time, or right at the beginning of the heating season when you first turn it on. This dusty smell is caused by collected dust inside the unit that starts to burn away when the unit is turned on.

2. This problem is not immediately harmful to your furnace; but over time the burnt dust will leave a residue that can collect and damage the internal components. To fix this problem and prevent future complications, call and schedule your annual cleaning and checkup with us at J&M Heating and Cooling. Musty Smells Furnace smells that are musty are created by mold collected in the furnace filter. If you had a humid summer or your humidifier was too moist in your basement, mold can very easily develop inside your filter. The mold in the furnace doesn’t necessarily cause a problem with the equipment but it can cause a problem with your health. Mold is potentially dangerous to your health if it is inhaled, so that’s why it is important to get rid of the mold before you ever turn your furnace on for the winter. Major Problem Furnace Smells This section is designed to address the major problems that a smell from your furnace may indicate. Unlike the minor problems that are mentioned above, these problems will have to be repaired by our trained professionals and can permanently damage your system. Oil Smell If you smell oil coming from your furnace and it doesn’t go away after a day, this means that you could have an oil leak. An oil leak will require furnace repair by our professionals. An oil leak is very dangerous and it is important that you shut off your furnace immediately and contact us to come check out the problem. Electrical Smells If you smell something that reminds you of burnt plastic or metal, this could be an electrical issue. Electrical smells tend to be caused from melted wires, burnt out motors, or other malfunctioning electrical components have burned. If you suspect your furnace is burning you need to shut the power off and contact us ASAP. Choose J&M Heating and Cooling Don’t ever wait until it’s too late if you experience an odd smell coming from your furnace. Our goal here at J&M is to put a stop to the problem before it becomes unfixable. Aside from helping you when you notice odors, we can assist you with any furnace maintenance you may need. We have a team of highly trained professionals that are always more than happy to help with any of your HVAC problems, even if it’s not a furnace issue. If you have any more questions or would like to schedule a furnace repair, please give us a call.