Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now noticing an unusual smell? You’re not alone, because many other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s causing this smell, and when you can expect it to subside, 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 reek.

Protective Finish

Your furnace has a special finish on certain parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely removes gases such as carbon monoxide naturally made during the heating process.

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

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to contact a heating and cooling company if the smell continues. A burning smell that remains can mean the motor has overheated or there’s an electrical problem, among other concerns.

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s idle in the summer. That dust will burn off when you flip on your furnace in the fall, making a burning smell. This smell should subside within a few minutes.

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

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Disregard

While it’s less common for a new system to need 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 avoid shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this preventive coating. To prevent a fire, shut off your furnace right away 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, get out of your home and call 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, plus it’s very flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew developing in your ductwork. We suggest having your ductwork inspected and cleaned if required.

Now that you know which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re ready to take care of your new furnace. If you’re worried about an odd odor, our Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling HVAC technicians can help you. Give us a call at 515-278-2900 to schedule your appointment right now. We offer quality, affordable furnace repair in Des Moines and surrounding areas.