Furnace Odor: Why Is Your Furnace Emitting A Burning Smell?

A Burning Smell May Mean Trouble

A furnace is needed to help a home stay warm, especially during the winter months when it can easily get very cold outside and feel even colder inside. If your La Grange furnace is working properly, then you can turn it on to warm up the home, but it’s possible that you may be getting a burning smell, and this may mean trouble.

It’s not a guarantee that getting a burning smell coming from your furnace means that something is actually on fire, but something is very likely burning. There are several instances where you’ll get a burning smell coming from your furnace, and everything should be checked out before you can sit back and ensure that nothing is on fire and know that it’s safe to continue using the furnace.

Is It The Filter?

The filter in a furnace is needed to help keep the air clean, especially for those who have allergies. Although many people think that only an air conditioning unit should have a filter, this is just not true. Any system that blows air, whether it’s hot or cold, will need an air filter, and the filter can fill up with dust very easily. If you turn on your furnace with a filthy air filter in it, then expect that the dust will burn, especially if there’s too much of it. Always change your air filter, especially if you haven’t used the furnace in a while.

The Dust In The Combustion Chamber

Another part of a furnace that can build up dust is the combustion chamber, which can accumulate lots of dust, especially if the unit has been off for several months. Once you turn the furnace on, then you may be smelling the burning dust, and the smell can be very unpleasant. Cleaning this chamber can definitely help to keep the smell from returning in the future, and it may be necessary to get an HVAC repair person to clean the unit.

Make Sure The Furnace Is Free From Debris

Always keep household objects away from the furnace because anything can catch on fire and wreak havoc in your La Grange home. Plastic toys, clothing, furniture and any type of fabric can easily catch fire or even melt if it’s too close to the furnace. Make sure that the furnace has no debris around it at all, especially anything that can catch on fire or cause a fire if it touches the furnace.

Are you having trouble with your La Grange, IL furnace? Call Allan E. Power Plumbing at [phone] for all your heating needs!