You’ve may have noticed that your furnace produces a burning smell when you turn it on for the first time each year or any time when it hasn’t been used for a few days. While this burning smell can be worrisome, it typically isn’t anything that you actually need to fix. However, there are times when a burning smell can indicate a serious problem, so it is important that you know what danger signs to look for.
How Dust Accumulation Leads to Burning Smells
Any time your furnace sits unused for a prolonged period, some dust and debris will accumulate on the gas burners and other components. Once the furnace does finally run, this dust will quickly burn away, producing a corresponding burning smell that should go away fairly quickly. The smell will always be strongest when standing next to your furnace, but it can also come up through your vents.
Other Reasons a Furnace Can Produce a Burning Smell
If the burning smell is stronger than normal or doesn’t dissipate within an hour or so, we recommend immediately shutting your heating system off and then having your furnace inspected. The same is true if your furnace ever produces a burning smell while it is running on a regular basis.
In most cases, this issue indicates that either your furnace is overheating for some reason or has damaged electrical wiring. Another possibility is that the furnace has a flame rollout issue, which means that the flames have escaped the unit’s combustion chamber and reached parts of the unit that can’t handle the heat. All of these problems can be quite serious as they can lead to major damage to your furnace or ruin it entirely. Not only that, but they can also be a serious fire risk.
If your furnace is producing a burning smell or having any other issues, you can count on the team at Hawk Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We repair and service all makes of furnaces as well as heat pumps and air conditioners, and we also specialize in all types of HVAC installation. Give us a call today if you need a furnace inspection or if you want to schedule any HVAC services in the Galt area.
