Here's What Gassy Or Burnt Furnace Smells Mean
Posted on: 11 April 2022
A furnace should not emit odors during operation. When this phenomenon occurs, it is a good reason to be concerned. Some furnace odors are emergency furnace repair issues. This is why it is a good idea to know which smells indicate what. The following points cover a few odors and what they generally mean.
Gas Odors
Sometimes a gas furnace will emit a slight gas odor when it is turned on. However, the odor should not linger. If it lingers, it is a sign of a potential gas leak in the home. The furnace needs to be turned off. Gas is combustible and a leaking furnace could be the cause of an explosion. Homeowners facing this issue should treat it as an emergency and exit their homes. Since it is a possibility that the leak might not only be related to the furnace. The gas supplier should be contacted. They can advise on how to shut the gas off to the home with a shut-off valve. A safe furnace repair can be made if the furnace is the source of the leak.
Burnt Odors
After a furnace gets serviced, it might emit a burnt odor for a short period of time. This phenomenon might also occur when it hasn't been used in a while. A lingering burnt smell or one that intensifies should be treated as a furnace repair issue. It could be a sign of something that is overheating in the furnace, which could cause serious damage. It could also be something that could cause a furnace fire. Air filters are an example of a flammable part of furnaces.
Burnt Plastic or Rubber Odors
This type of burnt odor is indicative of a furnace having a mechanical failure that is related to the wiring or a cracked heat exchanger. Both are serious issues that could create hazardous conditions. The wiring issue could lead to an electrical fire. If it is a cracked heat exchanger, there is a risk of carbon monoxide being released into the home. The heat exchanger in a furnace is responsible for containing carbon monoxide and getting it out of furnaces. If it is cracked, it cannot perform its job.
An HVAC contractor is a good resource to use to learn more about furnace odors. They can explain how heating maintenance can reduce the need for frequent furnace repairs. If there are indescribable smells, they can inspect and make repairs.
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