Smells That Might Be Emitting From Heaters And Why You May Smell Them

Posted on: 1 December 2020

When you turn on your heater, you expect your home to fill with warm air. What you do not expect is your home to fill with a bad scent. Unfortunately though, when you turn on your heater, it may be emitting a scent that you do not want to smell. Here are three smells that your heating system may be emitting and the reasons the scents may be present. 

A Burning Scent

A burning scent coming from your heater may or may not be a bad thing. When you first turn on your heater for the winter, you may smell a slight burning scent. This is very normal and is caused by your heater burning off dirt and dust that may be caked on the unit. If you continue to smell the burning scent, such as the scent of burning metal, plastic, or any other type of burning scent, you will want to turn your unit off until a professional can inspect it. Parts inside the unit may be rubbing where they shouldn't or electrical wiring in the unit may be burning. 

A Rotting Scent

When you smell a rotting scent coming from your vents after turning on your heater, you may wonder why you are smelling this bad scent. During the winter months, pests can enter your home looking for a warm place to rest. Unfortunately, not all who enter your home exit your home. A rotting scent can be an indication that there may be pests, such as rats, squirrels, and bats that have passed away in your ducts and ventilation system. A heating system repair professional can pinpoint and clear out the cause of the odor. 

A Musty Scent

The last unpleasant scent you may smell from your heater is must. A musty smell coming from your heating system may be an indication of possible mold or mildew growth in your heater or ductwork. Mildew can be hazardous to your health, and it is not something you want to be breathing in. A heating professional can remove the mold or mildew present in your heater or ducts, determine why it is present, and work to prevent it in the future. 

When you turn on your heating system for the first or second time in the winter, you may smell a slight burning scent. Outside of this, you should not really smell anything when your heater is running. If you smell a scent being emitted from your heating vents or grates, it is time to call in a professional for heating system repair. They can determine why your heater is emitting the smell it is and then work to get rid of the smell, ensuring your home heats up, not stinks up. 

Contact a heating system repair service for more information. 

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