Have you ever turned on your trusty heater only to find a strange odor coming from your vents? Your heating system should never be producing harsh or foul odors during normal operation. If you smell something weird, don’t hesitate to get professional help.
The Service Wizard team has taken care of every HVAC repair you can think of — including odd smells. We always know how to find the source and cleanse it, returning your home to a comfortable and smell-free place. Are any of these scents what you’re smelling in your home?
Burning Smell From Heater
One of the most common reports from our customers is a burning smell when they turn their heater on. It’s important to know the distinction between harmless odors and dangerous ones.
Here in Texas, we don’t use our heaters for most of the year. This can allow dust to collect inside the system over time. The first time you turn on your heater for the winter season, you will likely smell a burning smell. This is just the dust burning off. The smell should fade pretty quickly.
If the odor doesn’t fade or you smell a strong scent of smoke or materials melting, turn off your system. There are several components inside your heater that could catch fire, melt or produce that harsh smoke smell. To avoid further damage and risk to your home, call a professional to make sure the unit is safe to run.
Heater Smells Musty
We’re all pretty familiar with the telltale sour or musty smell of mold. While some molds can be easily taken care of, be on the lookout for signs of mold in your HVAC system. Once mold has taken hold in your HVAC unit or ducts, it’s extremely difficult to get rid of it completely. Mold thrives on any moisture, and even one spore could lead to the whole colony growing back. Call on a professional to make sure your HVAC system doesn’t have mold growth — and make sure the air ducts get checked too!
Rotten Egg Heater Smell
One of the more dangerous odors to be aware of is rotten eggs. The odor of rotten eggs usually points to a gas leak. Natural gas used in some furnaces and other gas appliances doesn’t have a natural odor. That’s why manufacturers insert a chemical that makes the gas smell like rotten eggs. If you smell a strong rotten egg smell in your home, you could have a serious gas leak. Exit the area quickly and call emergency services to ensure your family, home and neighbors are safe.
Heater Chemical or Exhaust Odors
Always remember: your heater does not use any kind of fuel that produces exhaust. If you smell exhaust in your home, don’t ignore it. Strong chemical odors or exhaust smells can indicate that a heater repair is needed. Substances like refrigerant can leak or burn, causing dangerous fumes to enter your home. Make sure you allow a licensed expert to handle these cases since human exposure to refrigerants is very dangerous!
Schedule Your Heater Repair
Service Wizard can help make your home fresh-smelling and warm again in no time. We’ve never encountered an odor we couldn’t handle. That’s why we’re your best option for quick, stress-free heater repairs. Give us a call to get your service request started today!
