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Furnace maintenance

5 Of The Most Common Smells Coming From Your Furnace

Smelling a strange smell coming out of your furnace can be unsettling. It is important to learn why these smells happen and if you should call out an HVAC professional to fix it for you.

Burnt Dust

One of the most common smells smelt with furnaces is burnt dust. This happens when you turn your heater on for the first time for the winter. Over the summer months, dust and pet dander can build up on your furnace. Once it kicks on, that smell will be there for a short time. It should only last for a few minutes. If you smell burning dust for more than a few minutes, you will want to get your furnace checked out.

Plastic Or Metallic Smells

When you first turn on your furnace for the winter, you should not smell any plastic or metallic smells. If you do, this is a sign that something may be wrong with your furnace. This indicates that parts of your furnace are overheating. If this is the case, you will want to get an HVAC professional out as soon as possible.

Rotten Eggs

No one ever wants to smell rotten eggs in the winter, but if you do, you have a gas leak in your furnace. This is a very serious situation, and you need to leave the house immediately and call the HVAC company. You will want to turn off the furnace and gas supply. They will be able to get out to address the problem.

Mildew Smells

If you experience the smell of mildew coming from your heater, this is a sign that your furnace may have damage. When there is moisture building up in your furnace, it can cause the growth of mold and mildew. You may be able to see the mold and mildew and smell it. It is important that you get someone out to check on this immediately. Not only does it pose a risk for furnace damage, but it can also cause various health problems. Mold and mildew can spread outside of your furnace and grow in many different places in your home. Mold remediation is very expensive, and things in your home can get ruined.

Sweaty Feet

If you turn your heater and notice a smell like dirty feet, this means you have a buildup of bacteria in the system. This could be in the furnace or even in the ductwork itself. You will need to hire an HVAC professional to get this cleaned for you. This issue could cause your entire home to stink and could become a health risk.

Call Us Today

If you smell any kind of strange smells coming from your heater, please give us at Robert Bair a call today. We are here to help ensure that your furnace is in good working condition and not producing any smells. We offer services like repairs, maintenance, and installations. We will help to ensure that you are warm this winter.