Have you recently had a new furnace put in and are now noticing a weird smell? You're not alone, because plenty of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s leading to this smell, and when you can look forward to it to subside, 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 stink.

Protective Coating

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

When your furnace starts for the first couple of times, the coating may release a burning smell. This is typical and the smell should dissipate the more your furnace runs.

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

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s off in the spring and summer. That dust will burn off when you flip on your furnace in the fall, producing a burning smell. This smell should go away within a few minutes.

One way you can lessen or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done each year. This is necessary to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run smoothly during the upcoming heating time of year.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

While it’s less common for a new system to require furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other odors you should keep an eye out 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 protected in plastic to protect against shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this preventive coating. To prevent a fire, shut off your furnace immediately and have it examined out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to alert you when there’s a problem. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off right away, evacuate your home and dial 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you ill, plus it’s highly flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew growing in your ductwork. We recommend having your ductwork examined and cleaned if needed.

Now that you know which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re ready to take care of your new heating system. If you're worried about an odd odor, our Childress Heating & AC HVAC technicians can help. Give us a call at 540-675-4306 to schedule your appointment right now. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Fredericksburg and surrounding neighborhoods.