Why Does My Furnace Smell?

What Causes Different Smells in Your Furnace

So, what causes the stink in your furnace, and what does it mean? There’s a wide variety of smells that can come from your furnace, each meaning something different. Our furnace replacement Sacramento team shares each of them below.

1) Dusty Smell

This is a furnace odor that we’ve all smelled before. While you may not recognize that the stench is that of burnt dust, you know to expect it when your furnace kicks up at the start of each cold-weather season. When you smell a furnace, it’s usually simply dust that has accumulated on your furnace. Then, when you turn it on, the dust heats up, thus causing the smell. It fades as you utilize your Sacramento heating system more frequently.

If you are cranking up your furnace for one of the first times and you get this smell, you may be in need of a furnace tune-up near me.

2) Metallic Smell

Metallic smells are furnace odors can be a little more difficult to identify. They frequently appear to be coming from the furnace. Still, they could indicate that damage is occurring elsewhere that is causing your furnace to emit particular aromas when turned on. A furnace’s metallic or plastic odor usually means something has gone wrong and components are overheating.

3) Rotten Eggs

We all know the smells of rotten eggs. If it starts coming from your furnace, this signifies you have a gas leak. This is quite serious, and action needs to be taken immediately. Because natural gas has no odor, chemicals are employed to make the odor unpleasant, guaranteeing that it catches your attention. If you notice this odor, immediately switch off your furnace and the gas supply, and then contact an emergency furnace repair near me for assistance.

4) Mildew Odors

Mildew odors are another furnace odor that indicates potential harm in your furnace. This occurs as a result of moisture buildup, which can promote the formation of mold and mildew. When this happens, you may not only notice a strange odor coming from your furnace, but you may also be able to see mold and mildew with your own eyes in some circumstances.