Why Does Your Furnace Smell When You Turn It On?

November 01, 2016

The temperatures are dropping here in the Bay Area and that means soon we’ll be relying on the comfort of our furnaces. This is typically the time we receive various furnace repair calls from our clients anxious about a weird smell coming from their furnace. If it’s been a few months since you’ve run your furnace and you smell something strange, stay calm. There’s typically nothing to worry about and there are a number of reasons your furnace might smell strange.

Last winter was most likely the last time you’ve had to run your furnace. For most of the year, debris may have built up inside of your furnace. Turning on your furnace for the first time will burn that off, producing a smell. This smell will move through your home throughout your duct work. This usually isn’t a serious circumstance and the smell will not last long. Although, if the smell doesn’t go away quickly, you’ll need to call in an expert to take a look at your system.

Another probable cause of strange smells coming from your furnace is a blocked air filter. A clogged filter will cause your blower motor to run harder which could cause the motor and/or your furnace to overheat.

You’re better safe than sorry and if there are any odors coming from your furnace the experts at Contra Costa Heating & AC in the Bay Area are ready to check things out and set your mind and nose at ease.

You’re going to be counting on your furnace more and more these next months, if you haven’t yet, it is the perfect time to get your yearly furnace repair scheduled. Our certified technicians will get all those internal parts cleaned and checked out to ensure your system will run efficiently and without troubling smells this the Bay Area winter. Get an appointment scheduled by calling us at 510-343-9841.