Have you recently had a new furnace installed and are now noticing a weird smell? You’re not alone, because plenty of other homeowners also have this happen at first. Let’s review what’s creating this smell, and when you can look forward to it to go away, as well as three other furnace smells you shouldn’t ignore.

Why Your New Furnace Smells

There are two factors why a new furnace might smell.

Protective Finish

Your furnace has a special finish on certain parts to keep them from rusting. This may include the heat exchanger, which safely gets rid of gases including carbon monoxide naturally created during the heating process.

When your furnace operates for the first couple of times, the coating may give off a burning smell. This is normal and the smell should go away the more your furnace heats.

To be on the safe side, you’ll want to connect with a heating and cooling company if the smell persists. A burning smell that remains can mean the motor is too hot or there’s an electrical problem, among other problems.

Dust

Dust builds inside your furnace when it’s idle in warm weather. That dust will burn off when you turn on your furnace in the fall, producing a burning smell. This smell should go away within a few minutes.

One way you can decrease or prevent this smell is by having furnace maintenance done every year. This is necessary to keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid, plus it keeps your furnace clean and ensures it will run smoothly during the upcoming heating season.

3 Other Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Ignore

While it’s less common for a new system to need furnace repair, it happens. Here are three other smells you should keep an eye out for and what they might mean.

  1. Burning plastic or rubber. If your furnace smells like burning plastic, you might have an electrical problem. Electrical wiring is coated in plastic to prevent shocks, and this smell is an indication that heat is melting this preventive coating. To avoid a fire, turn off your furnace immediately and have it examined out by an HVAC technician.
  2. Gas or rotten eggs. Gas companies add sulfur to natural gas to warn you when there’s a problem. If your furnace smells like gas or rotten eggs, turn it off as soon as possible, evacuate your home and dial 911. Exposure to natural gas can make you unwell, plus it’s highly flammable and explosive.
  3. Musty. If your furnace smells musty, you might have mold and mildew flourishing in your ductwork. We advise having your ductwork examined and cleaned if required.

Now that you understand which furnace smells are normal and which ones aren’t, you’re prepared to take care of your new heating system. If you’re worried about a strange odor, our Air-Right Energy Design HVAC technicians can help you. Call us at 703-260-1148 to schedule your appointment today. We offer quality, affordable furnace repair in Manassas and surrounding areas.