Have you recently had a new furnace put in and are now having a weird smell? You're not alone, because plenty of other homeowners also experience this at first. Let’s review what’s leading to this smell, and when you can anticipate it to go away, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t ignore.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two reasons why a new furnace might stink.

Protective Finish

Your furnace has a special coating on certain parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely removes gases such as carbon monoxide naturally created during the heating process.

When your furnace runs for the first couple of times, the coating may release a burning smell. This is typical and the smell should dissipate the more your furnace runs.

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

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s not running in warm weather. That dust will burn off when you switch on your furnace in the fall, making a burning smell. This smell should go away within a few minutes.

One way you can reduce or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done every single year. This is required to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run perfectly during the upcoming heating season.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Ignore

While it’s less common for a new system to necessitate furnace repair, it happens. Here are three other smells you should watch 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 covered in plastic to avoid shocks, and this smell is a signal that heat is melting this precautionary coating. To hinder a fire, turn off your furnace immediately and have it inspected 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 as soon as possible, evacuate your home and contact 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you ill, plus it’s highly flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew flourishing in your ductwork. We advise having your ductwork examined and cleaned if required.

Now that you understand 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 an odd odor, our JBR Mechanical HVAC technicians can help you. Give us a call at 812-266-9785 to schedule your appointment now. We provide quality, affordable furnace repair in Bedford and surrounding areas.