Have you recently had a new furnace installed and are now having a strange smell? You’re not alone, because plenty of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s creating this smell, and when you can anticipate it to disappear, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t disregard.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two factors why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Finishing

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

When your furnace runs for the first couple of times, the coating may give off a burning smell. This is standard and the smell should disperse the more your furnace runs.

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to contact a heating and cooling company if the smell persists. A burning smell that sticks around can mean the motor is too hot or there’s an electrical problem, among other issues.

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s not running in warm weather. That dust will burn off when you flip on your furnace in the fall, creating a burning smell. This smell should disappear within a few minutes.

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

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

While it’s less common for a new system to necessitate furnace repair, it happens. Here are three other scents you should watch 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 covered in plastic to protect against shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To hinder a fire, shut 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 signal you when there’s a leak. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, shut it off right away, leave your home and contact 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you sick, 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 needed.

Now that you are aware which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re prepared to take care of your new heater. If you’re worried about a strange odor, our Done Right Air HVAC technicians can help you. Contact us at 414-207-4034 to schedule your appointment now. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Milwaukee and surrounding communities.