Heating season is upon us in the Lubbock, Texas, area. Though you may resist turning your system on for the first heating round of the season, it will be inevitable by the time winter sets in. One of the undesirable side effects of finally turning to your furnace is that burning smell that occurs the first time or two that you heat your home. If you’re not familiar with the odor, it can even be alarming. Here’s a little background info on what that burning smell from your furnace is, what you should do, and how you can avoid it.
What’s That Smell?
The burning smell that you notice when you turn your heater on for the first time each winter is the smell of dust burning off the vents, registers, and heat exchangers. This accumulated layer of dust heats up quickly when the furnace fires up and creates a distinctive odor as it burns off. Fortunately this smell should only be noticeable for a few minutes the first time or two that you run your system this season.
What Should I Do?
The burning smell from your furnace is rarely a cause for concern, but you should contact an HVAC technician if:
- You smell burning plastic or rubber
- The smell has an electrical odor, like burning wires
- You smell smoke
- The odor persists for more than a few minutes
If you’ve had the same furnace in your home for several years, you’re probably familiar with the system’s ordinary burning smell. Anything that seems unusual is a cause for concern. Our experienced professionals can help diagnose your furnace issues quickly to ensure a safe, breathable environment.
How Can I Prevent It?
If you want to avoid that burning smell this year, schedule your maintenance visit before you turn your furnace on for the first time. Part of your tune-up is a thorough system cleaning. This can help you avoid any burning odor.
With one of our maintenance agreements, you can make regular tune-ups an easy part of your home care routine. Contact BTAC at 806-589-1014 to learn more.
Image provided by Shutterstock
