
Winters in New England are notoriously brutal, requiring constant use of your furnace to stay warm. However, when you notice a strange smell coming from your furnace, keeping warm can get complicated fast. Odd odors from your furnace can be concerning and may even point to a more severe issue with your system.
Whether it’s a faint burning smell or something stronger, it’s essential to identify the root cause and ensure your system operates efficiently and safely all winter. Here, the heating experts at GEM Plumbing & Heating discuss why your furnace may smell weird and what you can do to fix it.
Why Does My Furnace Smell Weird?
There are many reasons why your furnace may emit an unusual odor. Some causes are harmless, while others may require professional intervention to correct. Here are some of the most common reasons why your furnace may smell strange:
- Dust: After sitting unused for months, it’s common for furnaces to produce a faint burning odor as dust burns off.
- Dirty air filters: Clogged filters can trap dust, debris, and allergens, causing musty or unpleasant odors.
- Mold or mildew: Moisture buildup in ductwork can lead to mold or mildew growth, creating a damp or musty smell.
- Burning plastic or electrical smell: This odor can indicate overheating elements, melting wires, or plastic parts — a potentially serious issue.
- Gas or rotten egg smell: This could be a gas leak, which is a dangerous situation that requires immediate attention.
- Dead animal: Occasionally, small animals like rodents can get trapped in ductwork, leading to a decaying odor.
Weird Smell from Furnace: Solutions
Providing the right solution for the strange smell in your furnace depends on the main cause of the odor. Here are some steps you can take to resolve the problem:
- For dust buildup: Turn off the furnace and thoroughly clean it, including the vents and ductwork. The burning smell should fade after a few uses.
- For dirty air filters: Replace the air filter with a new one. Regularly replacing filters helps improve air quality and prevents foul odors.
- For mold or mildew: Schedule a professional duct cleaning and consider installing a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels.
- For burning plastic or electrical smells: Shut off the furnace immediately and contact GEM for emergency furnace repair.
- For gas smells: If you detect a gas smell, evacuate your home immediately and contact your gas company. Don’t attempt to turn on or off any electrical devices. Once it’s safe, schedule furnace repairs with GEM.
- For dead animals: If you suspect an animal is in your ductwork, contact a professional to safely remove it and sanitize your system.
Regular maintenance can help prevent many of these issues. Routine furnace inspections, cleanings, and tune-ups by GEM can help keep your system running efficiently and smelling fresh all winter.
Schedule Furnace Services in New England
If you’ve noticed a weird smell coming from your furnace, don’t ignore it. GEM offers comprehensive furnace services to families throughout New England, addressing any issue, from routine maintenance to emergency repairs and replacements.
Our experienced technicians will diagnose and resolve the issue quickly to restore your home’s comfort and safety on the coldest days of the year.
Schedule furnace services in New England by calling GEM today.