You expect your furnace to run smoothly, but if you’re smelling strange odors, something is most likely wrong. No matter how light the smell is, don’t ignore it. Here are some smells from your furnace that you may encounter in Perdido, FL, and what they usually mean.
Sulfur Odors
Sulfur smells like rotten eggs. If you’re smelling this, it could be due to a propane or natural gas leak.
Propane or natural gas has no smell or color, though, so sometimes it’s harder to detect. What causes the rotten egg smell isn’t the gas itself. It’s the mix of compounds propane suppliers mix in with propane or natural gas.
If you notice a rotten egg smell, turn off your system immediately. Then, leave the home until a professional HVAC technician has fixed the problem. In the meantime, get the gas company to shut off the gas supply to your home or office.
Burnt Plastic or Metallic Smells
A plastic burning smell usually indicates damaged components or electrical failure. It could also mean something plastic got stuck in the motor. Damaged electrical components commonly produce a metallic smell.
In any case, inhaling the fumes could harm your health. Some furnaces have a safety feature that shuts them down to prevent overheating. If yours doesn’t shut itself off, turn it off at the breaker or gas supply, and call for an inspection.
Dust Odors
When furnaces aren’t used for several months, they build up dust. This is a common problem that should fade after its initial use. The smell comes from the components burning the dust.
Cleaning the furnace return grilles and vents before use may prevent this problem. If the issue persists, clogged filters could be the culprit. They may be letting debris into the motor.
Unpleasant odors could be something serious. They also might not be, but you need a professional to tell the difference, so you shouldn’t postpone that service call. If you can’t locate the source or keep noticing bad smells coming from your furnace, call our knowledgeable team at Lunsford Air Conditioning and Heating for heating system repairs in Perdido, FL.
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