Have you recently had a new furnace put in and are now having 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 subside, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t ignore.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two explanations why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Finishing

Your furnace has a special finish on specific parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely gets rid of gases including carbon monoxide naturally made during the heating process.

When your furnace operates 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 heats.

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to connect with a heating and cooling company if the smell lingers. A burning smell that lingers can mean the motor is too hot or there’s an electrical problem, among other issues.

Dust

Dust accumulates inside your furnace when it’s idle in warm weather. 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 decrease or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done each year. This is needed to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty good, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run smoothly during the upcoming heating time of year.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it happens. Here are three other smells 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 difficulties. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to prevent shocks, and this smell is a sign that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To avoid a fire, turn off your furnace as soon as possible 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 leak. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off immediately, get out of your home and dial 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 developing in your ductwork. We suggest having your ductwork checked and cleaned if required.

Now that you understand 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 strange odor, our Scott Temperature HVAC technicians can help. Call us at 785-269-0465 to schedule your appointment right now. We provide quality, affordable furnace repair in Lawrence and surrounding communities.