Have you recently had a new furnace installed and are now experiencing an unusual smell? You’re not alone, because a lot of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s causing this smell, and when you can expect it to subside, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t neglect.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two reasons why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Finishing

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

When your furnace starts for the first couple of times, the coating may give off a burning smell. This is typical and the smell should go away the more your furnace heats.

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to call 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 concerns.

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s not running 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 subside within a few minutes.

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

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Ignore

While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other smells you should keep an eye 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 protect against shocks, and this smell is a sign that heat is melting this protective coating. To hinder a fire, shut off your furnace immediately and have it checked 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 right away, evacuate your home and call 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, plus it’s extremely flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew flourishing in your ductwork. We recommend having your ductwork checked and cleaned if needed.

Now that you understand which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re prepared to take care of your new heating system. If you’re worried about an odd odor, our Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning HVAC technicians can assist you. Call us at 308-624-3485 to schedule your appointment now. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Kearney and surrounding areas.