The furnace in your Carrollton, GA, home may have a slight smell to it from time to time. For example, turning on your furnace for the first time in several months can produce a dusty smell for a few minutes. However, extreme odors — especially the smell of something burning — should never be present. Here’s why there’s a bad smell coming from your furnace:
Odor of Sulfur or Rotton Eggs
If you have a gas-powered furnace and notice a sulfur-like odor coming from your vents or furnace, there could be a gas leak in your home. Gas companies add chemicals to their gas, such as mercaptan, tetrahydrothiophene and dimethyl sulfide.
This makes it easier to spot a leak since gas is normally odorless. If you notice this smell, turn off your HVAC system immediately and contact us for help.
Musty Smells
If you don’t control the amount of relative humidity in your indoor air, the excess moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew in your home and ductwork. This can be dangerous to your health. If you notice a musty smell, contact our team to assess the quality of your indoor air and check your HVAC components.
Burning Odors
Several issues can result in the smell of something burning. You may have a damaged electrical connection that is burning away wiring materials and other interior components of your furnace. Something else on the inside of your furnace may be overheating as well.
Chemical Smells
A chemical-like scent can indicate an electrical problem. It can also be a sign of a cracked heat exchanger, which is very dangerous.
Damage to your heat exchanger can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas in your home. This is another scenario in which you should turn off your HVAC system and call for help from a professional.
It’s always wise to call for professional assistance if you notice an abnormal odor coming from your furnace, vents or other areas of your heating system. Contact our team at Merrell & Associates for help with HVAC maintenance or repairs to prevent foul odors.
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