Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now experiencing a weird smell? You’re not alone, because many other homeowners also have this happen at first. Let’s review what’s leading to this smell, and when you can expect it to disappear, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t ignore.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two reasons why a new furnace might stink.

Protective Coating

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

When your furnace runs for the first couple of times, the coating may release 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 remains can mean the motor has overheated or there’s an electrical problem, among other issues.

Dust

Dust collects inside your furnace when it’s off in the summer. That dust will burn off when you flip on your furnace in the fall, producing 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 required to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty good, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run properly during the upcoming heating period.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

While it’s less common for a new system to require furnace repair, it happens. 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 problem. Electrical wiring is protected in plastic to protect against shocks, and this smell is a signal that heat is melting this preventive coating. To hinder a fire, turn off your furnace as soon as possible and have it inspected out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies include sulfur in natural gas to warn you when there’s a leakage. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off immediately, evacuate your home and contact 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 developing in your ductwork. We advise having your ductwork checked and cleaned if necessary.

Now that you are aware which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re well-equipped to take care of your new heating system. If you’re worried about a strange odor, our Northern Comfort Inc HVAC technicians can help. Give us a call at 507-387-6596 to schedule your appointment today. We provide quality, affordable furnace repair in Mankato area and surrounding areas.