Not quite as delightful as “new car smell,” a newly installed furnace
may give off an unpleasant odour when you use it
for the first time. Don’t worry about it, though. This stems from the protective oil coating on your new heat exchanger, which will burn off in short order.
How long should a new furnace smell?
1. Burning dust smell. A burning dust smell may emanate from the furnace once you start the furnace at the beginning of the winter season. This smell is completely normal and should go
away within several days
.
Are new furnace fumes harmful?
In short,
no. Not all furnace smells are dangerous
—but they should be investigated. For example, the smell of burning dust that lasts just a few hours and doesn’t return later in the season is nothing to worry about. Whereas the smell of burning plastic or oil could indicate something very dangerous.
How do I get rid of the new heater smell?
Brush
the intake vents with a soft, old toothbrush to remove any excess dust and dirt. After the initial scent wears off from a new heater, the most common cause of odors is dust. Next, clean the ceramic heater, including the intake vents, with a vacuum outfitted with an upholstery bristle.
Why does my furnace smell like burning plastic?
Burning Plastic
The smell of plastic burning could mean
a foreign object has made its way into your heating unit
. This could be anything from a plastic bottle cap to one of your children’s plastic toys. As the plastic burns from the heat of the furnace, it can emit fumes into the home that are harmful to your health.
Is it normal for a new gas furnace to smell?
It’s normal for gas furnaces to emit small amounts of gas when cycling on
. If you occasionally detect a faint gas odor near the furnace during this cycle, you don’t have anything to worry about. However, if you frequently smell gas throughout your home, your furnace could have a dangerous leak.
Why is my heater making a weird smell?
If you smell a dusty or burning smell the first few times you turn on your heat, it’s most likely dust and dirt that’s settled on components inside your heating system throughout the summer.
As you fire up the heat, those dust particles burn away
, producing a weird burnt/dusty smell.
Is it normal for a new furnace to smoke?
Some furnaces coat the heat exchangers with oil to prevent it from rusting until you get it, and that oil burns off and smokes. Unless someone has asthma or allergies to smoke, it’s
not a hazard
.
What does formaldehyde smell like?
Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical with
a strong pickle-like odor
that is commonly used in many manufacturing processes. It easily becomes a gas at room temperature, which makes it part of a larger group of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Why does my heater smell like sewer?
Furnace smells like rotten eggs or like a sewer
The smell can
indicate a failed heat exchanger
, especially if you have a high-efficiency furnace. This is a serious problem because a bad heat exchanger can pump unsafe levels of dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) gas into your home.
Can a dirty air filter cause a burning smell?
If your filter is clogged,
it will force your air handler to work over time
. This can cause your blower motor to overheat and give off a burning smell that is carried throughout your ductwork and into your living spaces.
Why does my heat smell musty?
1) Musty smells
By the time you smell a musty odor, it’s likely that
mold or mildew has been forming for awhile
. It’s particularly problematic when a musty odor emanates from the heating ducts, as the origination of the mold or mildew may be the furnace system, the cooling system or the ductwork.
How do you know if your furnace is overheating?
- You notice a “hot” or burning smell coming from the vents. …
- You hear strange noises or loud humming coming from the furnace. …
- You notice the furnace cycling off without starting again.
Can furnaces catch on fire?
Although it is possible for a gas furnace to either catch fire or explode,
it’s highly unlikely
. If there is a danger of this happening, the furnace will usually simply shut off—as it’s designed to. … If you’ve got a good furnace and take care of it, you won’t have to worry about explosions or fires.
How often should you change your furnace filter?
The basic consensus among HVAC professionals is that you should replace your furnace filter
every 90 days
— or every three months. However, that depends on the filter’s thickness. Thicker filters have more room to collect dirt and dust, so they don’t have to be changed as often.
How can you tell if your furnace is leaking gas?
- Trouble breathing.
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded.
- Drowsiness or increased fatigue.
- Flu-like symptoms, such as nausea and headaches.
- Ear, nose, and throat irritation.
- Mood changes, including depression.
- Nosebleeds.
- Chest pain.
