Furnace Repair and Burning Odors

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Do I need Furnace Repair if I Smell Burning Odors?

You don’t necessarily need furnace repair if a burning odor occurs when you first turn on your furnace. It is most likely flammable lint and dust accumulation on the actual heating element that burns off during the initial seconds of operation.

A burning smell in your home can be alarming, especially if it occurs when your furnace is turned on. The timing and duration of the smell is important in determining the severity of the situation. It’s also important to pay attention to any other unusual smells emanating from your system. Heating is the second highest cause of house fires, and you need to take issues with your furnace seriously to protect those residing in your home.

Are Furnace Smells Normal?

Some smells from your furnace are normal, but others could signal a serious problem. When your furnace smells emits a burning odor, you can consider these points as you troubleshoot:

• Is it the first time you’ve turned your furnace on for the winter? The dust that may have settled in your system over the course of the year may be stirred up when you first turn on your equipment. As the dust burns off, the smell should dissipate quickly.
• Is your filter clean? Start the heating season with a brand new filter, and change your filter as needed throughout the winter. A clogged filter can allow additional dust to move through your furnace, leading to an intermittent burning smell. If this is the issue, then a clean filter should eliminate the occurrence of such smells.
• Does the furnace have proper clearance? Is there a toy, stray piece of clothing or other flammable material near the unit? If something gets too close, it could become hot, posing the risk of a fire. Make a point of conducting regular safety inspections of such equipment.

If your furnace smells like gas, the issue is more likely related to the fuel supply. You may have a gas leak, and you need to contact your utility provider for directions and assistance.

Furnace Repair, Burning Odors and Preventive Maintenance

While the dust in your system may burn off, a residue can be left behind, affecting the performance of your equipment. It’s wise to schedule a system inspection each fall so that your unit can be thoroughly cleaned ahead of the need to operate it. This may reduce the potential for burning smells in your home, and it will also ensure that all critical safety components of your furnace are tested. Advance awareness of worn parts makes it possible for you to have them replaced so that you don’t experience an inconvenient system failure during the winter months. Additionally, your technician can discuss issues like carbon monoxide poisoning. A CO monitor is an important consideration in any home that operates a gas furnace as the odorless gas can be deadly if levels become too high.

Did you know that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has ranked furnace equipment as the 2nd highest cause of house fires?

Have you turned on your furnace in Shelby Township yet? Did you notice that your home got warmer, but hold on a minute—what is that burning smell? What should you do?

First, stay calm and turn the furnace off. Next, go to where your furnace is located. Make sure you don’t have a fire going and that you don’t need to call 9-1-1. If there is a fire, get everyone out of the house quietly and orderly (like the fire drills you practice). Then call 9-1-1.

Furnace Repair Shelby Township Style

If you see that there is no immediate danger to you, your family and your house, relax. Then go through these 3 possible causes of the odor.

1. Furnace Maintenance: Combustion Chamber Dust is the most common cause of the smell. After your furnace has been idle during air conditioner season, dust and dirt settle in the combustion chamber. When you start the furnace for the first time and the chamber ignites, the debris burns off and produces the scent of smoke. The blower pushes the warm air into your house. If this is the reason your furnace is giving off an odor, the stench that so alarmed you will leave quickly. You can always open a few windows to help remove the smell.
2. Furnace Maintenance: Dirty Filter is another culprit. When did you change the furnace filter last? Don’t remember? You need to check to see if the filter is causing the smell. Filters in a forced-air furnace are important to proper heating. Filters remove particulates like dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores and more from the air before the unit gets warmed up. If your filter is filthy, the airflow becomes blocked and cannot flow freely through the filter. When this happens, there is a possibility that the unit will overheat and start one of those house fires I mentioned before. If the dirty filter is the cause of the smell, it’s time to put in a new one. Like we have said before you need to change your filters every 30 days to keep your furnace going.
3. Furnace Repair: Blower Malfunction takes place when your blower stops, no longer drawing heat from the furnace to distribute through the house. It also helps maintain the internal temperature of the furnace from getting too hot. This mechanical device, like all mechanical devices, breaks down. If the blower stops working, this can cause the furnace to overheat and cause a fire.

Our furnace repair team of professionally trained technicians has years of experience installing, inspecting, maintaining and repairing furnaces in the greater Shelby Township area and beyond. For more details on our services or to schedule an appointment for furnace repair, please contact the experts at ACWarehouse MI today.

Phone Us for Furnace Repair in Shelby Township: 586-554-0394.