Winter is approaching and the nights are already starting to get cold. You’ve probably had to turn on the heating in your home at least once. Have you noticed a strange smell? Many people notice strange smells coming from their heating system when they turn it on for the first time of the season. Some of these smells are completely normal and harmless, while others may indicate a more serious problem that needs to be addressed. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand what might be causing your heater to smell when you first turn it on.
Smell #1: Dusty or Burning Smell
If you notice a dusty smell or a slight burning smell when you turn on your heater, don’t worry, this is normal. Your heating system has been shut down for the past few months, so dust, dirt and deposits have inevitably settled on the heat exchanger, burners and other components of your heating system. When you first turn on your heater, these particles burn and produce a dusty or burning smell.
The smell should disappear once all foreign particles have burned off. If the smell persists after using your heater for a few days or the smell worsens, you will need to turn off your heater and call a professional HVAC company to inspect your heating system and find and fix the problem. Problem. Cause of the problem.
Smell #2: Musty or Mildew Smell
Does your heater smell like dirty socks when you first turn it on? This musty smell occurs when there is a buildup of mold or bacteria in your heating coils or ducts. Only those who own a heat pump will have to deal with this problem for more than a day; A furnace gets hot enough to kill bacteria, but a heat pump doesn’t produce as much heat. Heat pump coils typically only reach temperatures between 105 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the ideal temperature for microorganisms to grow.
This may seem like a scary problem, but you don’t have to worry as it is easy to fix. If the smell doesn’t go away on its own, the first thing you need to do is clean or replace your air filters. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to contact an HVAC company to clean and inspect your heating system and ducts.
Smell #3: Sulphur or Rotten Eggs Smell
If you notice a rotten egg smell when you light the fire, there is likely a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. This hot smell is usually given off by gas furnaces and is usually an indication that there is a gas leak in your home. A furnace is supplied with natural gas via closed gas pipes. The gas then ignites in the furnace to produce heat and warm your home. However, sometimes these gas pipes or the furnace itself become leaky, allowing gas to escape from the heating system and enter your home. If there is a leak in the gas lines, a small spark can cause a fatal explosion or fire.
If you notice this smell when you turn on your heater, your home is unsafe. You must turn off the heating and evacuate the building. Contact an HVAC professional immediately for emergency service so your heating system can be repaired.
Smell #4: Electrical Burning Smell
The smell of burning electricity is not a normal smell when you turn on your heater. This type of smell indicates that there is a serious problem in your heating system. The cause could be a defective motor, a frayed cable, or another electrical problem. Electrical problems can be very dangerous and the damage they cause can be very expensive to repair. If an electrical problem is not addressed, your engine could burn out or, even worse, cause a fire.
If you smell the smell of burning electricity, you should always turn off the devices that emit this smell. To avoid home fires and costly repairs, you should turn off the heat immediately and call an HVAC company so one of their professionals can find the source of the smell and fix the smell before it can damage your heating system. Heating or your home.
Get Your Heating System Checked by an Experienced HVAC Company
If you detect any strange smells when you turn on heat for the first time, the best thing you can do is contact a reputable HVAC company to have a look and see what the problem is. An even better plan of action is to schedule maintenance on your heating system before it’s time to turn the heat on. This way, an HVAC professional can make sure everything is in proper working order so that you won’t run into any weird smells or other issues when the time comes to switch on the heater.
Tudi Mechanical Systems has over 30 years of experience offering quality heater repair Pittsburgh. Our HVAC technicians are trained to provide honest and reliable service that will keep your heating and cooling systems operating as they should be. If you notice any issues with your heat when you turn it on this season, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We will respond as quickly as possible to find the source of the problem and provide the right solution. You can also sign up for an annual maintenance contract through which we will service your system twice a year to stop any potential problems before they can start. Whether you need to fix a problem with your heat or want to schedule preventive maintenance before turning your heat on, Tudi Mechanical Systems can help. Give us a call at 412-753-7546 today to schedule HVAC repair or maintenance with the best HVAC company in Pittsburgh, PA.