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Why Does My Furnace Smell?
Posted On: October 31, 2024
If your furnace has an unusual smell, it could be caused by a variety of issues. Here’s a breakdown of common furnace smells and what they might mean:
1. Burning Dust Smell
- Cause: If the furnace hasn’t been used for a while (like at the start of winter), dust will often accumulate on the heating components. When the furnace is turned on, the dust burns off, producing a distinctive smell.
- Solution: This is usually normal and should go away within a few hours. If it persists, replace or clean the air filter and vacuum around the furnace.
2. Musty or Mildew Smell
- Cause: Moisture can build up in the ductwork, leading to mold or mildew growth, especially if the furnace hasn’t been used in a while or if there is a humidity problem.
- Solution: Have a professional inspect and clean your ductwork. Consider using a dehumidifier in your home to control moisture levels.
3. Electrical or Metallic Burning Smell
- Cause: An electrical or metallic smell can indicate overheating of furnace components, often caused by worn-out parts, faulty wiring, or even a blower motor that is burning out.
- Solution: Shut off the furnace and call a technician, as electrical issues can be hazardous.
4. Rotten Egg or Sulfur Smell
- Cause: This smell typically indicates a natural gas leak, as utility companies add a sulfur-like odor to natural gas to make leaks easier to detect.
- Solution: Turn off the furnace immediately, leave your home, and contact your gas company or emergency services.
5. Oil or Smoky Smell
- Cause: If you have an oil furnace, a smoky smell could indicate incomplete combustion or an oil leak. It may also happen if the air filter or burner is dirty.
- Solution: Shut down the furnace and have it inspected, as burning oil or smoke can cause health issues.
6. Chemical Smell
- Cause: A chemical odor could indicate a cracked heat exchanger, which might allow carbon monoxide to leak into the air.
- Solution: This is a serious issue. Turn off your furnace, open windows, and have a professional inspect it right away.
Preventive Tips
- Change air filters regularly (every 1 to 3 months).
- Schedule an annual furnace tune-up to ensure safe and efficient operation.
- Check for any obvious blockages or leaks around the unit.
If you’re unsure about the smell or if it persists, calling a professional HVAC technician is the safest option.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
Aug 8, 2025
We are very happy to recommend this company to everyone. Our furnace broke down on Sunday morning. We phoned them and before noon Grant the owner showed up. He worked on the furnace for about a hour not wanting to give up to fix the problem. The furnace was 17 years old. I was the one talking about replacing it. End result was the next day it was all done. On the Sunday Bob came over with heaters to warm up the house. We decided to replace the water heater at the same time. Thanks Grant for the excellent work. Thumbs up.
Aug 8, 2025
Right on time. Explained how to work the HRV in a different way so the house would not be so dry. Changed my whole house water filter for me as well. Friendly, helpful, caring service!
Feb 18, 2025
Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.
Feb 18, 2025
We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!
Feb 18, 2025
TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!
Feb 18, 2025
Amazing experience with TwinTech Heating & Cooling! Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient from start to finish. They installed my new furnace quickly and left everything spotless. The technicians took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable with the system before they left. Great customer service and fair pricing. I highly recommend them for anyone needing HVAC services!
Feb 18, 2025
Great experience all around. Bob was sharp and easy to talk to, and Greg handled the installation perfectly. Would hire them again in a heartbeat.
Aug 17, 2024
I returned from vacation to find my AC unit on the Fritz. After calling way too many places I connected with TwinTech. Ive used the company in the past for my furnace so I was happy when I recognized Greg at my front door. Hes great and the service is always top notch. Id highly recommend using twintech for honest, superior service in the Durham region. Thanks!
Aug 13, 2024
I called Twin Tech when my air conditioning stopped working. Greg came over to diagnose the issue - the same day. He was able to diagnose the issue and resolve it quite quickly. Although it was a quick fix, Greg was very thorough in explaining the issue and provided great advice. Not to mention, I felt very comfortable having Greg in my home - which I consider very important when hiring a service provider. Twin Tech will be my go-to from now on. Thank you!!
Aug 12, 2024
Just hired TwinTech Heating & Cooling to do an A/C Unit removal & reinstall to allow for landscaping access on the side of my house, and they were wonderful!
Bob, Greg & Mitch make a great team! Quick appointment times, super knowledgeable, expert troubleshooting capabilities & very customer service oriented.
I would highly recommend them for all of your HVAC needs! Great job guys!!
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