furnace giving off a bad smell

Why Does My Furnace Smell in Florence, KY?

November 30, 2024

If you notice odd smells coming from your home’s furnace in Florence, KY, it’s trying to tell you something. When running at its best, your furnace shouldn’t emit any sort of odor at all. Learn more about some of the most common furnace odors.

Rotten Eggs or Sulfur

You should never ignore this odor, even if it’s weak, because it could mean a gas leak. Your local utility company adds this smell because natural gas is odorless. The stronger the smell, the more likely you have a dangerous, substantial gas leak.

Burning Smell

At the beginning of the heating season, most homeowners notice a burning smell coming from their vents the first few times the furnace operates. Accumulated dust burns off when this occurs, so you have no cause to worry. If you keep noticing this smell or if it suddenly recurs, your system may have an overheating component and require heating repair.

Car Exhaust Odor

If your home smells like car exhaust, this usually indicates you have a problem with the furnace’s venting. Gas furnaces use a pipe to get rid of exhaust created during combustion. The pipe could have loosened or become obstructed due to bird or pest nests, forcing exhaust back into your home.

Musty Smell

If your indoor air smells musty during operation, you most likely have accumulated dust, dirt and other microorganisms in your ductwork that blow through your home during operation. Over time, these organisms keep growing and can even cause ductwork blockage. Schedule ductwork cleaning to remedy the situation.

Burning Plastic Smell

Odors resembling burning plastic or rubber could indicate an electrical problem. This situation can occur if the plastic casing covering wires begins to melt. Turn off your furnace immediately and call for emergency service.

Make sure that your furnace is ready to keep you warm all winter long. If you believe you need furnace repair, maintenance or installation in Florence, KY, call Western Hills Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule one of our heating services.

Image provided by iStock

You May Also Like

Why Is My AC Heating My House in Cleves, OH?

Why Is My AC Heating My House in Cleves, OH?

When you turn on your air conditioner, you expect cool, refreshing air to come from your vents. If that’s not the case, and your air conditioner is making your home hotter, something is definitely wrong. Here’s a look at a few reasons for your AC to blow hot air in...

Should My Ductless Mini-Split in West Harrison, IN Be So Loud?

Should My Ductless Mini-Split in West Harrison, IN Be So Loud?

HVAC systems should not make loud and disturbing noises. Ductless mini-splits, which can operate extremely quietly, certainly should not do so. We'll discuss a few worrisome ductless mini-split noises that homeowners in West Harrison, IN should know about. Squealing...

Do I Really Need Spring Heat Pump Maintenance in Cincinnati, OH?

Do I Really Need Spring Heat Pump Maintenance in Cincinnati, OH?

Gearing up for spring in Cincinnati, OH means flipping your heat pump from heating to cooling mode. Before you do this, however, you should invest in heat pump maintenance. With regular maintenance, you can enjoy several benefits, as discussed below. More Reliable...

Compliance Settings
Increase Font Size
Grayscale
Simplified Font
Underline Links
Highlight Links
Reset
Close