Winter in Northeast Indiana can be long and cold, requiring the furnace to run 24/7. If your furnace has been properly maintained, chances are it will make it through the heating season with no trouble, but older furnaces and those that haven't had an annual tune-up for some time may show signs of needing some TLC. A burning furnace odor is one of these signs. While most burning odors are a result of dust burning off inside your system, any smell coming from your furnace should be checked. These tips will help you troubleshoot the burning smell.
Heating season startup
Furnaces commonly emit a burning smell for an hour or so when they're turned on for the first time in the fall. To prevent this odor, change your filter before starting up your system, and remove as much dust as possible from your unit. If you don't get around to these steps, however, don't worry. The smell likely will go away in as little as 15 minutes.
Dirty filter
Your furnace's air filter traps dust and other contaminants in your home, preventing them from building up inside your system. If your filter is dirty, replace it immediately. The smell should disappear in a few minutes. Check your filter every month and replace it when it's dirty.
High resistance
If you close some of the vents in your home to conserve energy, you may be causing heat to build up in your furnace, resulting in the burning smell. Open some of your closed vents to balance airflow, and the smell should disappear quickly.
Overheated motor
If your system hasn't been tuned-up in the last year, your blower motor may need to be lubricated. A dry motor produces friction, which can make it smell like it's burning. Contact a qualified HVAC professional for a tune-up as soon as possible to prevent damage to your system.
If the smell doesn't go away
If a burning furnace odor persists after troubleshooting, it's important to schedule service right away. The burning smell may be signaling the need for repair or preventive maintenance.
For more expert advice about furnace odors, please feel free to contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning, serving the Ft. Wayne area since 1973.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about furnaces and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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