Have you recently had a new furnace set up and are now having a weird smell? You’re not alone, because a lot of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s leading to this smell, and when you can anticipate it to subside, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t disregard.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two reasons why a new furnace might reek.

Protective Finish

Your furnace has a special coating on specific parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely exhausts gases like carbon monoxide naturally made during the heating process.

When your furnace starts for the first couple of times, the coating may give off a burning smell. This is normal and the smell should dissipate the more your furnace operates.

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to contact a heating and cooling company if the smell lingers. A burning smell that remains can mean the motor is too hot or there’s an electrical problem, among other issues.

Dust

Dust accumulates inside your furnace when it’s off in the spring and summer. That dust will burn off when you turn on your furnace in the fall, producing a burning smell. This smell should subside within a few minutes.

One way you can decrease or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done each year. This is needed to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty applicable, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run properly during the upcoming heating time of year.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Ignore

While it’s less common for a new system to require furnace repair, it can happen. Here are three other odors you should keep an eye out for and what they might mean.

  1. Burning plastic or rubber. If your furnace smells like burning plastic, you might have an electrical issue. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to prevent shocks, and this smell is a sign that heat is melting this preventive coating. To prevent a fire, shut off your furnace immediately and have it examined out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to signal you when there’s a leak. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off immediately, leave your home and contact 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you ill, plus it’s extremely flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew growing in your ductwork. We recommend having your ductwork examined and cleaned if needed.

Now that you know which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re prepared to take care of your new heating system. If you’re worried about a weird odor, our Ilten's HVAC technicians can assist you. Contact us at 319-208-2351 to schedule your appointment now. We supply quality, affordable furnace repair in Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas.