What Can Cause a Burning Smell From the Furnace Vent?

Whether your home uses gas or electricity, you rely on your furnace to function properly at the start of the cold season and all the way through to spring. In those first few days of using your furnace – and sometimes even deeper into the season – you may notice an odd burning smell when your furnace comes on.

In many cases, the smell you’re experiencing isn’t a cause for major alarm and can be fixed quickly and easily. Sometimes, though, a burning smell is a major issue, so it’s important to understand the difference.

Why Does My Furnace Smell Like Something Is Burning?

You asked — we answered. Take a look at these frequently asked questions to help you understand why your furnace is emitting a burning smell and what you can do to fix it.

1. Why Is There a Burning Dust Smell From My Furnace?

It’s common for your furnace to produce a burning dust smell at the beginning of the season, and it’s not likely to be a cause for alarm. Your heating system will collect dust over the course of the summer and spring while it isn’t in use. When you start up your furnace for the first time in the fall or winter, that dust will burn up and emit a burning smell. It will likely take just a few minutes for the dust to burn up, and then the smell will dissipate. If the smell lingers for a long time, however, contact your maintenance provider to diagnose the issue.

To help prevent a burning dust smell, clean your vent surfaces before the start of the season to remove accumulated dust and other debris. Changing the air filter in your furnace can help as well.

2. Why Does My Furnace Smell Like Burning Plastic?

If your furnace smells like burning plastic, it’s time to call a technician. This usually indicates a broken or failing mechanism within your heating unit. It’s also possible that a plastic household item or toy has found its way into your furnace. No matter the cause, melting plastic can emit harmful fumes into your home, and you should take immediate measures to resolve the problem. Call in a service team to analyze your furnace, diagnose the issue and provide a solution.

3. Why Does My House Smell Smoky While the Furnace is On?

If you heat your home with an oil furnace, it could emit a smoky or oily odor for several reasons. It’s possible that you may need to change your oil filter or that a technician made a minor spill while servicing your unit. But if the issue persists, it may be a sign that your furnace is leaking oil. If that’s the case, turn off your system immediately and contact a technician.

4. Why Does My Furnace Smell Like Gunpowder?

A gunpowder smell is likely the result of an overheated circuit board or fan motor. Power down your furnace immediately and call a service team to conduct an inspection and make repairs before using the furnace again.

5. Why Does My Heater Smell Like Burning Metal?

Electrical heating units may smell like burning metal in the event of an overheated motor or when unshielded wires create sparks that melt wiring insulators. Continuing to use your furnace under these conditions could result in electrical damage to your home. Contact a trained service professional to accurately diagnose and resolve the problem.

Furnace Maintenance and Repair in Central PA

While there are many cases in which you can resolve a burning smell from your furnace, there are times when you definitely need to call in professional assistance to prevent substantial damage to your system and home. Leggett Inc. has been a trusted source for furnace repair in Central PA for more than 50 years.

For residents living in Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill and beyond, Leggett’s team of NATE-certified technicians are trained to service all of the most common gas and electric furnaces. Our preventative maintenance, cleaning and repair services will stop your furnace’s burning smell at the source. We’ll show up on time to your appointment, diagnose the problem and fix it quickly with as little disturbance to your household as possible. With Leggett Inc., you can count on a reliable heating system and dedicated service team all winter long.

Reliable Services From Leggett Inc.

Find a quick and effective resolution to the burning smell coming from your furnace with Leggett. For HVAC services you can count on and up-front pricing on maintenance or repair, give us a call at 717-773-4561 or sign up for an appointment and get a free quote today!