Smelling something burning from your furnace? It could be harmless—or a sign of trouble. Learn the 5 most common causes and when it’s time to call a pro. Read our blog to keep your home safe and warm.
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Your furnace plays a crucial role in keeping your home warm and comfortable—but when something’s not right, it often lets you know right away. One common warning sign? A burning smell. While it can be harmless, it might also signal a bigger, more serious issue. Understanding the cause of that odour can help you take the right steps and know when it’s time to call our professionals.
The Burning Smell
Burning smells are unique and often help point you in the direction of what’s wrong with your furnace.
Some of the smells below may resolve themselves as they are caused by inactivity, other's require professional attention.
That's why properly maintaining your furnace is important in preventing larger issues.
Dust
In Alberta, we collect a lot of dust in and around our homes. When this dust settles inside your furnace, you may start to smell burning.
This usually happens when you first turn on your furnace after the summer months. There's no need to panic if this is the case. The accumulated dust will eventually burn away. However, if this smell continues for more than a day, you should contact one of our professional furnace technicians.
Remember, even though this smell is unpleasant, the odour is harmless to you and your family.
Bacteria Build-Up
A musty smell or an odour like dirty socks often means a presence of bacteria. And bacteria buildup can be really unpleasant to deal with. Similar to burning dust, this smell can be caused when you first turn on your furnace after a long break.
To get rid of the smell, replace your furnace filter. If it doesn’t go away within a day, call a professional for assistance.
If your furnace filter isn't the issue, it's possible you could be dealing with mould in your furnace. The continued smell could also mean you have a problem with your air ducts. In this case, your air ducts will need to be cleaned.
Electrical
Electrical issues will often smell like burning plastic or electrical components. If you smell this, turn off your furnace immediately and call us in to take a look at your unit.
Issues involving the electrical components are serious and could be dangerous.
Gas Leak
Often having a rotten egg smell, gas leaks are a serious problem. If you begin to smell rotten eggs, turn off your furnace immediately and call a professional.
After you have turned off your furnace, open the windows to let clean air circulate. This clean air will reduce the risk of any serious damage. Next, leave your home and call the gas company to alert them of a potential gas leak.
Call Action Furnace Today!
Catching furnace issues early could save you money down the road and extend the life of your furnace. If you are experiencing any of the burning smells above, give us a call! Our team is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does duct cleaning improve indoor air quality?
Your home’s air quality is likely something you don’t think of until it becomes a problem. Your home’s ducts play a huge role in this. As your home’s air ducts transport the air that travels through your home, it’s important to have them clear of any blockages or obstructions.
Even if there are no clear blockages in your ducts, smaller dust or dirt particles can make a difference. If these particles are in your ducts, your air quality is being lowered as it passes through the ducts. This poor air is then supplied to your home.
How often should I have my furnace serviced?
We recommended calling Action Furnace for annual furnace tune-ups, and as soon as possible if you notice any problems. This makes it easy to identify problems and solve them before they have a chance to get significantly worse.
How do I know if my furnace needs a repair?
There are signs that tell you your furnace isn’t running smoothly and might need repair. The most obvious clue is a lack of warm air blowing or no airflow coming from your furnace. Also be aware
of:
- Strange or loud noises coming from your furnace
- Strange smells or odours when your furnace is operating
- Higher energy bills than you’re used to
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