If you’ve ever turned on your heater only to meet with a burning smell, then you’re not alone. It’s a common problem with furnaces, especially one that hasn’t been used in a while. It can be a severe issue, so it’s best to be aware of the causes and solutions for this problem before the smell becomes worse. Read on to learn what causes a burning smell in your heater and what you can do to fix it.
The Heater Is Dirty
The first reason the heater smells like its burning is that it needs cleaning. When you turn on your heater for the first time during winter, or if you haven’t used it for an extended period, then it’s likely that any dust or particles that have gathered inside need to be removed before the heater can function correctly. This is why there may be an unpleasant burning smell when you turn on the heat for the first time – it’s simply particles being burned away.
Defective Heating Element
Another cause may involve the heating element in your furnace or heat pump. This part of the system will also accumulate dust and grime over time if a professional technician does not clean it out periodically. If you have not had your furnace serviced lately, the smell may result from a defective heating element.
Faulty Wiring
In some cases, bare wires touching one another due to worn insulation may create sparks at these contact points, leading to smoke and a burning smell. Suppose you see small flames coming from your vents. In that case, it’s essential to be careful not only because carbon monoxide poisoning can occur but also because it’s an indicator that there are other serious problems. The best step forward would be having our technicians take a look at it.
Gas Leak
If you have a gas heater, a gas leak might have occurred. It’s advisable to turn off your main valve if there is a strong gas odor. Contact our team immediately to locate the source of the leak and shut your furnace off while you wait for our team to arrive. Make sure to air out your home while you wait to ensure no one suffers from any kind of gas poisoning.
Faulty Blower Motor
Your heater’s blower motor might be failing or no longer working due to the wear and tear of various parts. The blower could have also stopped spinning, so it does not pump air through your vents and out into your rooms anymore. Instead, it blows warm air straight out of the furnace and up through the ceiling vent of your home. If so, call one of our licensed HVAC technicians right away!
Wear and Tear on Your Heater’s Fan Blades
The rubber seals can swell up from constant wear and tear, which causes a burning smell and excessive noise from the increased friction between the fan blades and their housing. Just have it checked out by an HVAC technician to ensure nothing more serious has happened before replacing it.
What Can You Do to Avoid Burning Smell From Your Heater in the Future?
The best solution to avoid unpleasant heater odors is to get your unit regularly maintained by a licensed HVAC technician. Heater maintenance should be done at least once a year, and in some cases, twice a year.
Our technicians will be able to clean off your heater, which will help avoid burning odors caused by dust accumulation. They will also assess your heater for any electrical concerns during a routine maintenance visit. They will make sure there are no loose wires and no gas leaks. They will also replace any worn-out parts.
Additionally, routine maintenance, such as changing your filters regularly, will help keep your heater functioning efficiently and free your house from unpleasant smells.
Contact Experienced Heating Professionals
Have a professional technician diagnose your faulty heating system if you identify any of these problems. If you are in Oak Harbor, WA, or living in the surrounding area, Island Heating & Air Conditioning has you covered. We will help you figure out why there is a burning smell in the house when you turn on your heater.
Call us today! We offer heating and cooling repairs, maintenance, and installation services. We can also take care of any indoor air quality and ductwork jobs.
Tags: Heater RepairTags: Heating
December 20, 2021 6:35 pm
