Heater smells like burning? In Tallahassee, most homeowners notice a burning smell from their heater at first use. But is it something to stress about? Learn why this smell happens, if it’s safe, and how you might prevent it.
As cold temperatures arrive, you click on your heating system to make your home feel cozier. However, a troubling burning smell coming from the vents greets your nose. “Why does my heater smell like something’s burning?” you ask, puzzled.
Sometimes, the burning smell is perfectly normal. Other times, it might alert you to dangers within your heating system. Our team at Cooper’s Plumbing & Air explains what to do when your heater smells like burning items.
What Burning Smell Do You Detect?
First, determine what type of burning smell your heater emits. When the system smells like it’s burning, it typically provides clues as to what materials might have ignited. The following list outlines the possible origins of the burning odor.
Heater Has an Unobtrusive Burning Smell
When the heater gives off a non-distinct burning smell, it might have a dusty coating surrounding the heating elements. You shouldn’t worry about the smell of burning dust unless the odor persists throughout subsequent heating cycles. Accumulated dust collects on all types of HVAC systems.
Once you turn on your heating system in mid to late fall, the dust burns off of the heating components during the first cycle. The burning dust smell often resembles odors like scorched hair or a blown-out candle. You can prevent this odor by cleaning your vents and wiping down accessible components when they accumulate dust buildup.
Heater Has a Burning Plastic Smell
The smell of plastic burning can mean one of two things: your air ducts have plastic debris obstructing the airflow, or components on your heating unit overheated.
Remove your air vents and shine a flashlight into the ductwork. Do you see errant debris populating the network? If so, try to remove it or call an HVAC technician for assistance.
If you can’t find evidence of an obstacle in the vents, you might need repair services to address major component failures from:
- Blower motors: An overheated blower motor might smell like plastic combined with scorched metal or chemicals.
- Heat exchangers: Like blower motors, a malfunctioning or cracked heat exchanger may smell like plastic combined with other materials.
- Fan belts: You should replace the furnace fan belt annually. These parts commonly stretch or snap as they age.
Contact an HVAC technician to address these issues with professional skills, tools, and replacement parts.
Heater Smells Like Burning Rubber
When you smell burning rubber materials, it could have one of the following issues:
- Faulty wiring: An electrical burning smell indicates that the rubber wire coatings have melted. This electrical malfunction within the heating system’s electrical wiring might cause your house to catch fire. Call the fire department if the smell persists to protect your property from damaged electrical wiring.
- Items in the vent network: If a single room has a distinct odor, it might have a vent obstruction. Toys for children and pets often contain rubber. If those items become lodged in the vents, they might create some unusual smells.
- Rubber components: Some parts of your heat system consist of rubber materials. If the system overheats, it may melt those components. An HVAC professional can identify and solve the issue.
Heater Emits a Musty Smell
Check your air filters when your heater smells like something’s burning. Your return vents house the air filters, collecting pollutants and debris over time. This debris sometimes includes mold which emits a musty odor.
Change your clogged filter every three months minimum. Not only does this eliminate musty burning odors, but the fresh furnace filter will improve your indoor air quality.
Heater Reeks of Rotten Eggs
Does your central heating and cooling system use natural gas as its primary furnace fuel? If so, your gas furnace might emit a sulfuric smell that resembles spoiled eggs. Sometimes, heating systems emit this smell when the gas company tops off the natural gas supply.
Although this is completely normal, you should turn off your furnace and contact an HVAC professional if the odor persists. When this type of burning smell persists, it might indicate a dangerous gas leak.
What to Do When Your Heater Smells Like Burning Plastic or Other Items
When you address a burning smell, consider the following aspects of your HVAC system:
- When did you last turn the system on? If you haven’t used your furnace in months, don’t worry about the burning smell. It should dissipate after a few minutes.
- Can you smell oil? If you have an oil furnace, you should check and replace the oil filter.
- Have you noticed other indicators suggesting electrical burning? Sometimes, you can feel warmth around the area where the electrical burning smell occurs. You might also hear crackling sounds. Contact your fire department immediately, as this indicates a hidden fire.
- Do other strange smells accompany the heater smell? Describe any smells that accompany the burning odor to your trusted HVAC company. They’ll use the information to diagnose the issue.
- When did you last change your air filter? Although manufacturers recommend filter changes every 12 weeks, the standard changes depending on your lifestyle. If you own pets or burn incense and candles, change your dirty filter more frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions about Heater Smells
How do I prevent burning smells from my heating system?
Protect your heating system from burning smells by scheduling regular maintenance services from an HVAC professional. They can inspect your furnace components, air vents, and the rest of your HVAC network for potential problems.
What are the signs that the strange smells indicate a serious problem?
Strange smells indicate serious problems when they remind you of burning plastic, rubber, or rotten eggs. These scents are warnings that your HVAC system has malfunctioned.
What does a malfunctioning furnace smell like?
A malfunctioning furnace smells like burnt plastic, sulfur, and other alarming substances. Burnt plastic smells could mean an overheating blower motor and other pertinent components. Sulfuric smells might indicate a gas leak.
Call Cooper’s Plumbing & Air To Prevent Bad Furnace Smells
Book a furnace repair service with Cooper’s Plumbing & Air when your heater smells like it’s burning. Our technicians will determine whether the smell indicates a fire risk and recommend solutions. Call 866-464-7132.)