Why Does My Furnace Smell So Bad in Carencro, LA?

When your furnace operates normally, it shouldn’t produce any notable odors. Strange or unpleasant smells almost always suggest, if you don’t take action, you might have serious trouble staying warm in Carencro, LA this winter. Below, we’ll discuss a few odd furnace smells and what they could potentially mean.

Rotten Eggs or Sulfur

Ordinarily, natural gas is odorless, so HVAC manufacturers use chemically altered gas to power their furnaces. For your safety, these alterations make the gas smell like sulfur or rotten eggs.

If it’s safe for you to turn your furnace’s gas shutoff valve, do so and exit your home as soon as you notice this smell. Then, since natural gas can be dangerous, call both 911 and your HVAC company. If it isn’t safe to shut off further gas flow, simply leave your home and call for help.

Burning

Since your furnace operates by burning gas, a temporary burning smell, especially if the system hasn’t been in use for a long time, is completely normal. However, if the odor continues to linger, your furnace may have serious problems.

For example, its blower motor may be overheating. If you have an electrical furnace and notice the smell of burning plastic, then its wiring and other components may be melting. This is hazardous and requires professional intervention.

Dust

Over time, dust will accumulate in your ductwork, on your furnace’s air filters and in the furnace itself. Sometimes, this debris can make it more difficult for your furnace to do its work. To remove the smell of dust and keep performance high, clean your filters every three months, and schedule maintenance at least once a year.

Trust your nose to alert you to any issues with your furnace. When you notice troubling furnace smells smells, call Air Source One Cooling & Heating, Inc. for the best heating repair services in Carencro, LA.

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