Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now experiencing a weird smell? You're not alone, because many other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s leading to this smell, and when you can look forward to it to go away, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t neglect.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two explanations why a new furnace might stink.

Protective Coating

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

When your furnace starts for the first couple of times, the coating may give off 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 call a heating and cooling company if the smell continues. 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 off in the summer. That dust will burn off when you switch on your furnace in the fall, making a burning smell. This smell should go away within a few minutes.

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

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other scents 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 difficulties. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to protect against shocks, and this smell is a signal that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To hinder a fire, shut 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 alert you when there’s a problem. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off right away, evacuate your home and call 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, plus it’s very flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew developing in your ductwork. We suggest having your ductwork checked 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're worried about a strange odor, our Woody's Sudden Service HVAC technicians can help. Contact us at 703-278-2036 to schedule your appointment today. We offer quality, affordable furnace repair in Manassas and surrounding areas.