If there’s an odd smell coming from your heater, it’s important to take this sign seriously. While your system might just require a cleaning, a burning smell could also be a sign of a more serious issue.
It’s important to inspect the conditions of your heater so that you can determine what’s causing the burning smell. This will allow you to take the right steps for your comfort and safety. No Carlsbad homeowner should feel unsure about a smell coming from their heater, which is why Specialized Mechanical is here to help!
If you’re not sure what can cause your heater to produce a burning smell, our technicians are here to share the answers you need!
What Does A Burning Smell Mean For Your Heater?
Since heaters work as a way to warm up your home, they likely go unused during the warmer months. Turning on your system for the first time in a while could result in an odd smell, but a persisting issue may mean that something is wrong with your system.
Sometimes the cause turns out to be an issue you can fix yourself, but there are times when a burning smell will require an immediate fix by a professional. Before calling the experts at Specialized Mechanical, looking over your system could tell you whether the burning smell is a serious concern.
Causes Of A Burning Smell From Your Heater
A burning smell coming from your heater is never good, but some causes are less dangerous than others.
Understanding what causes the burning smell to occur can make it easier for you to see the warning signs early on. Additionally, if you know what’s causing the burning smell, you can take the right steps to provide a quick solution for the specific problem. That’s why our team is here to break down some common causes!
Dirty Furnace
When your heater isn’t used outside of the cold season, it can collect dust that needs to be cleaned off. This is an easy fix that will take just some thorough dusting while your heater is off.
However, if the furnace is still dusty when it’s turned on, you may smell a burning odor as a result. The smell comes from the dust being burnt away, and it should disappear after the system has had the chance to run for a bit. However, if the smell lasts, there’s likely a different cause of the issue.
Clogged Air Filters
Before turning on your heater for the cold season, always check the state of your heater filters. When your heater gives off a burning smell, it might be due to an old and dusty filter.
Air filters are responsible for catching debris, and they’ll need to be changed regularly to avoid becoming clogged. If the filters become full, you may get a dirty furnace, and the debris may stink as it burns off.
Additionally, dirty air filters can cause your system to overwork. In extreme cases, this may result in burning odors. Dirty filters can also create dirty ductwork, which promotes conditions for mold or mildew to grow. It’s best to avoid these issues altogether and replace your furnace filters every one to three months — or as needed.
Foreign Objects In Your Heater
Sometimes children can hide things in easy-to-reach vents or filter areas within your heating system. This can lead to the object being forgotten about altogether.
If any objects are left within your heating system, they may begin to burn and produce an odor. If any of your vents are giving off a burning smell, check each room to find the source and see if it can be easily removed.
If you can’t find the source of the problem, turn off your heating system and contact our professionals. We can help eliminate the source of the smell and prevent toxic fumes from being released into the air from burning plastic.
Outdated Electrical Wiring
Before turning on your heating system, always give the wiring of the system a glace! If any damage is visible, this will need to be fixed before running your system.
When your wiring is damaged or out of date, this can create hazardous electrical issues that can even present fire risks. Additionally, it can cause your system to not work properly.
If your heater is experiencing electrical problems, turn off your system immediately and contact our technicians at Specialized Mechanical. We can provide your home with proper HVAC repair services to help prevent electrical fires and protect your comfort.
DIY Solutions To Protect Your Heater
A burning smell coming from your furnace can be a big concern for homeowners, but you can help manage the problem and even prevent it from occurring. Below are some helpful things that you can do to prevent a burning smell.
Change Your Filters
If the filters in your heater are getting full, change them out before the next time you use your heater! Make sure to find the right size filter for your system, and change them regularly to prevent dust accumulation.
Monitor Your Heater
Whenever your heater is powered down for the off-season, keep it clean and look for any visible damage.
This can help you address concerns as they come up and prevent there from being a bigger problem when colder weather arrives. Additionally, you can schedule tune-up services with our Carlsbad heating company! At Specialized Mechanical, we’ll make sure your system is ready to work efficiently.
Call Specialized Mechanical For A Professional Furnace Repair
When your furnace starts producing a burning smell, it’s best to get to the bottom of the issue quickly! Keep your home and family safe by understanding the causes of unusual heater odors and learning how to solve any odd occurrences your system faces.
Not all heater problems have a DIY fix though. If you’re in need of heating repairs from a Carlsbad heating company, look no further than Specialized Mechanical! Our team of professional technicians is here to provide quality service, so schedule an appointment with us today!
