Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now noticing an unusual smell? You’re not alone, because a lot of 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 neglect.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two reasons why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Coating

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

When your furnace operates for the first couple of times, the coating may give off a burning smell. This is normal and the smell should go away the more your furnace operates.

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

Dust

Dust collects inside your furnace when it’s off in warm weather. That dust will burn off when you turn on your furnace in the fall, creating 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 every year. This is needed to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty good, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run properly during the upcoming heating time of year.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Disregard

While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other scents 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 difficulties. Electrical wiring is protected in plastic to prevent shocks, and this smell is a signal that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To hinder a fire, turn off your furnace immediately and have it inspected out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to signal you when there’s a leakage. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off as soon as possible, leave your home and call 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, plus it’s extremely 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 are aware which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re prepared to take care of your new furnace. If you have concerns about a weird odor, our Aggressive Mechanical HVAC technicians can help. Call us at 732-806-5536 to schedule your appointment now. We provide quality, affordable furnace repair in Neptune City and surrounding areas.