Have you recently had a new furnace put in and are now noticing a strange smell? You’re not alone, because a lot of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s leading to this smell, and when you can anticipate it to go away, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t neglect.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two factors why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Finish

Your furnace has a special finish on some parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely gets rid of gases such as carbon monoxide naturally produced during the heating process.

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

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to connect with a heating and cooling company if the smell persists. A burning smell that sticks around can mean the motor has overheated or there’s an electrical problem, among other concerns.

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s idle in the summer. That dust will burn off when you turn on your furnace in the fall, creating a burning smell. This smell should subside within a few minutes.

One way you can reduce 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 season.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Dismiss

While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other smells you should watch 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 coated in plastic to avoid shocks, and this smell is a sign that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To hinder a fire, turn off your furnace as soon as possible and have it checked out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to signal you when there’s a problem. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off right away, get out of your home and contact 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you ill, plus it’s very flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew flourishing in your ductwork. We recommend having your ductwork inspected and cleaned if necessary.

Now that you understand which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re prepared to take care of your new furnace. If you’re worried about an odd odor, our Bell Air Conditioning Inc HVAC technicians can assist you. Call us at 254-307-9572 to schedule your appointment today. We offer quality, affordable furnace repair in Temple/Belton  and surrounding communities.