What’s Causing the Burning Smell Coming From Your Heater?

You might be the type of person to turn on your heater, whether it be a furnace or a heat pump, at the slightest hint of a chill in the evening air. But what if there’s an odd, funky burning odor coming from the heater when you turn it on for the first time? How can you tell which smells are detrimental to the unit and your building’s occupants and which are mostly harmless? In this article, an HVAC repair expert discusses the different kinds of burning odors that can come from a heating unit.

• Burning dust. This odor is commonly encountered when you turn on your heating unit for the first time in the fall. After months of sitting idle, dust collects on the system components and burns off upon initial operation, escaping through the air vents. A burning dust odor isn’t a cause for panic since it only lasts for a few hours and doesn’t come back after that.

• Burning plastic. If you get a whiff of burning plastic when you power up the heater, this often indicates the need for an immediate furnace or heat pump repair. This type of odor points to a foreign substance that has infiltrated the system, and is definitely unsafe to breathe. If you detect such an odor, turn off the heater at once and contact your local HVAC expert for assistance.

• An electrical burning odor. An odd smell that reminds you of burning electrical wires is highly alarming and can indicate an overheated blower motor. Check to see if your air filter is caked with dust, dirt and other debris and clean it or replace it with a new one. Then, let the blower motor cool off for a few minutes before turning the system back on. If you notice this burning electrical smell and your air filter is in good condition, however, turn off the heater and call a professional as soon as possible.

Dittmer Air and Heat is a premier source of commercial heating and cooling solutions, including HVAC maintenance, repair and installation. Our top-rated technicians are committed to providing the comfort and efficiency you need through industry-leading products and outstanding customer service. Call us today at (321) 637-0170 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment.