Why Does My Heater Smell Like That?

Firing up a new heater is a satisfying feeling once the Winter cold hits. However, sometimes when you first turn on your heating system, you might get a whiff of a funny smell.

Don’t be alarmed and don’t call the fire department just yet if you smell a burning aroma. Some odors are normal when using a new system or a heater that hasn’t been used for a while, but don’t let the smell go unnoticed either. Here are a few types of smells that you might encounter.

Musty Smell

If your heater produces a musty smell, it is usually a sign of mold or mildew in your system or ducts. Sometimes, the buildup attached will burn up but in cases that it doesn’t, replacing your filters is a common solution. If you still are experiencing the same smell contact a specialist to inspect your system and air ducts.

Burning Smell

This is the most common odor when you turn on your heater for the first time. Debris, such as dust, can settle in your unit if it has not been used for a prolonged time. The smokey smell is the result of the debris burning off. If the smell lingers however, we recommend contacting a heating or cooling expert for maintenance.

Electrical Burning Smell

An electrical burning smell should be immediately inspected as it could be due to serious electrical issues. Your unit could be damaged, overheated, or there might be a crack in the heat exchanger. If this is the case, you should immediately turn off your unit and contact a technician for help.

Maintenance Check

The best way to prolong the life of your unit and to ensure that you are getting the best out of your heating system is to have seasonal inspections, maintenance checks, and services.

For your air conditioner, we recommend getting it serviced once a year, preferably in the Spring before the weather gets warmer.

As for your furnace, we recommend servicing it once a year as well, preferably after Summer before Fall begins.

Contact Us

The experts at Long Air Conditioning can help from maintenance to unit replacement and so much more. With a vast line of Trane products, our team can help you find the perfect unit for your home. For any other inquiries please call 936-756-5645 or visit longac.com.