Have you recently had a new furnace installed and are now noticing an unusual smell? You’re not alone, because many 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 reasons why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Coating

Your furnace has a special finish 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 starts for the first couple of times, the coating may emit a burning smell. This is standard 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 idle in the spring and summer. That dust will burn off when you flip on your furnace in the fall, making a burning smell. This smell should disappear within a few minutes.

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

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

While it’s less common for a new system to necessitate furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other smells 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 issue. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to prevent shocks, and this smell is a signal that heat is melting this protective coating. To avoid a fire, switch off your furnace immediately and have it examined out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to warn you when there’s a problem. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, shut it off as soon as possible, leave your home and call 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, 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 suggest having your ductwork inspected and cleaned if needed.

Now that you are aware which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re ready to take care of your new heating system. If you have concerns about a weird odor, our Booneville Heating & Cooling HVAC technicians can assist you. Give us a call at 662-269-8716 to schedule your appointment today. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Booneville and surrounding areas.