We are still in the midst of winter, meaning there will probably be at least a few weeks before you wind down on furnace use for the seasons. Luckily, most furnaces are well-constructed and built to sustain your needs for months at a time without an issue. However, there are some furnace problems that may require your immediate attention. One such problem: strange odors. Keep reading about the top five furnace smells you should never ignore, and remember that you can always call A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical for all your furnace repair, installation, and maintenance needs.
1. My Furnace Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If you detect a sulfuric, rotten egg-like smell coming from your furnace, it is imperative that you act immediately, as you could be dealing with a gas leak. Natural gas itself is odorless, but gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to give it a distinct, unpleasant odor reminiscent of rotten eggs. This is done to make gas leaks easily detectable.
Natural gas is highly combustible and one of the most efficient fuel sources for a furnace to run on, but it is also highly toxic when inhaled. Exposure to a gas leak can lead to serious health issues. Common symptoms of natural gas exposure include:
- Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or unsteady.
- Nausea: A sick or queasy feeling in the stomach.
- Coughing: Persistent coughing or difficulty breathing.
- Headaches: Pain or discomfort in the head.
- Fatigue: Unusual tiredness or weakness.
These symptoms should not be ignored, as prolonged exposure to natural gas can lead to more severe health consequences, including loss of consciousness or even death.
If you suspect that your furnace may be leaking gas, it is crucial to act quickly. Immediately evacuate your family from the house and call a professional right away. Do not try to find the source of the leak yourself. Additionally, avoid using any electrical devices or lighting a fire, as natural gas is a significant fire hazard and even a small spark could ignite it.
2. Furnace Smells Like a Locker Room
Most of us have dealt with that locker room smell before—think about a combination of sweat and dirty socks. But what exactly would cause this smell in a furnace? You may pick up this odor due to condensation build-up within the system. This typically happens when the thermostat is adjusted frequently, causing the coils to build up moisture over time.
When your furnace cycles on and off, condensation can accumulate on the evaporator coils. If not properly drained, this moisture provides an ideal environment for mold and mildew to thrive, resulting in that unpleasant, musty smell. In addition to mold and mildew, bacteria can also grow in these damp conditions, further contributing to the foul odor.
Fortunately, you can usually address excess condensation by calling a furnace technician for a thorough cleaning. A professional technician can clean the coils, inspect the drainage system, and ensure everything is functioning properly. Regular maintenance can help prevent this issue from recurring and keep your furnace running efficiently.
By taking prompt action and scheduling regular maintenance, you can prevent unpleasant odors from affecting your home's air quality and ensure your furnace operates smoothly throughout the heating season.
3. My Furnace Smells Like Diesel Fuel
Smelling diesel fuel from your furnace when it runs is usually the product of an oil-based furnace burning off an excessive amount of fuel. When too much oil is put in your system, it will build up to create a fog that is highly flammable. Burning off this oil can cause your furnace to set things around it on fire if you are not paying attention, so be sure to watch out for this smell, and be careful not to put too much oil in your system if you need to refuel it.
4. My Furnace Smells Like It Is Burning
If you are smelling electrical burning in your furnace, similar to what you would smell coming from a burned wire in your wall socket, there is likely a problem with your blower motor. As this component gets older and wears down, it may begin to use too much electricity. This may in turn lead to sparking in your system, causing the internal wiring and insulation to burn.
As with all burning smells, this odor should never be ignored, and if you do smell it coming out of your furnace, make sure to call a technician ASAP. Failing to do otherwise could end up being catastrophic for your furnace, if not your entire property.
5. My Furnace Smells Like Dust
After your furnace goes through an extended period of disuse, it is likely to collect a significant amount of dirt and dust. When you then turn your furnace on after this period of time, and it begins to burn away that dust and debris, a musty odor may start to waft through your house. While this usually won’t cause any major system malfunctions, it isn’t great for your air quality. That’s why to avoid this issue, we suggest replacing your furnace’s filter at the top of the season and hiring a technician for an annual furnace cleaning.
To schedule your next furnace cleaning today or to request another heating service, call (503) 694-3396, or click here to send us a message online.