Cooler weather is in town for a bit, so turning on the heat is a natural reaction. When you finally do, there’s a chance you may notice an odd smell coming from your HVAC system. These oddities can be concerning, so let’s discuss why this is happening.
Why does my furnace smell weird when I turn it on?
You may question whether it’s normal to experience some odor when turning on your system. To an extent, it is, especially if you haven’t used it in a while. There are many reasons for this and various smells associated with them. Depending on the type of odor, you’ll have different degrees of urgency to resolve it.
Burning Dust:
(Risk Level: Low)
This is the most common smell that you’ll encounter. It’s evidence that dust has collected in your HVAC system. This is normal since, in most cases, a couple of months will have passed since you last used the system in this capacity. Usually, the smell will wear off in time.
Mildew Smell:
(Risk Level: Low)
If you activate your system and smell an odor, like when you’re walking inside a gym, there’s a good chance mold and mildew are present. It could be located in the ducts or on the system itself. Regardless, the smell is another that will dissipate over time.
For these low-risk situations, having an air purifier can help neutralize the odor faster.
Gas Smell:
(Risk Level: High)
If you notice that the HVAC system gives off a smell similar to a rotten egg, turn it off immediately. This is a dangerous sign of a gas leak. You should evacuate the area and call a gas professional as soon as possible.
Chemical Smell:
(Risk Level: High)
Another serious cause for concern is a chemical smell that presents itself when your HVAC unit is activated. To create heat, your system uses an exchanger that produces poisonous gases like carbon monoxide as a process derivative. The exchanger contains these gases, so if you’re smelling them, the device has likely been damaged or cracked. Like the gas smell, you should call a professional and open the windows in your home.
The Best Solutions to Avoid Odors When Activating Your Heating
The best solution to getting rid of odors when turning your furnace on is to prevent them altogether! We’ve put together some simple but effective steps to take before switching from cooling to heating. Let’s go over them.
Tip 1: Professional HVAC Maintenance
Let’s start with the most obvious tip. Some things cannot be done to your HVAC system unless you’re a professional, so the best-case scenario is to hire one. Doing so may come at a cost, but it provides benefits. Your technician will be able to identify any lingering issues with your HVAC.
Involving a pro will make your transition from cooling to heating safe. Getting one involved for maintenance instead of repair is much more cost friendly. They’ll also be able to fine-tune your system to maximize its efficiency, saving you money.
Tip 2: Check Your HVAC Unit
We get so involved in our daily lives that we often overlook important tasks during a transition period. An easy check of your unit is one such thing. Believe it or not, taking a small bit of time to do so can be very beneficial. How? Simply put, the earliest you can catch an issue, the easier it is to deal with.
When you look over your HVAC, pay attention to any noticeable wear and tear, corrosion, or issues with the unit.
Tip 3: Inspect and Manage the Thermostat
Before switching your thermostat on, inspect it to ensure everything is okay. If your thermostat has batteries, replace them. It’s a good idea to have the system set to heat and maintain a temperature of 72 degrees. You can even lower it to 65 degrees if no one is home. Some HVAC experts suggest lowering it even further if you’re sleeping.
Managing your thermostat like this will help you conserve energy and provide healthy savings in the long run. This is especially beneficial during the winter as the cost of utilizing the heat will increase.
Tip 4: Keep your Ducts in a Row
Ducts are an important part of your HVAC system. They move air from one location in your house to another. Your home may also have return ducts, which grab air and circulate it through the HVAC system, where it is cooled, heated, and filtered.
Maintaining your ducts is essential to having great indoor air quality. Clean ducts help save energy, allowing your system to run efficiently during the winter. Before switching to heating, check your ducts to ensure they’re spotless. If you don’t want to hire a professional, you can clean them yourself using a vacuum, a microfiber towel, and some cleaning solution. Just ensure you turn the power off on your HVAC before starting!
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Tip 5: Check Your Insulation
Being wasteful is something we naturally want to avoid. What good would it be to have a system running efficiently only to have it spoiled? Insulation helps protect your home from outside weather influences. When it comes to winter, a properly insulated home will ensure that the heat flowing through the house won’t escape. As insulation is inside the walls of your home, it’s a bit more challenging to check. There are some ways available.
The easiest way is to examine your attic first. It’s usually easier to check because there is often no barrier between you and the insulation. Depending on your type, it will affect how much you should expect to be there. Secondly, you can check the walls by removing an outlet or light switch cover. Remember that safety is important while doing any of these tasks.
Tip 6: Replace Your HVAC Furnace Filters
We’ve saved the best tip for last, but it’s also the easiest way to prepare for cooler months. Replacing your furnace filters consistently is another small task that’s often overlooked, but it’s the most important. A clean filter guarantees great indoor air quality, trapping dust, allergens, and more. Over time, however, this hardworking device will be worn down – filled with all those contaminants.
A clogged filter will strain your system unnecessarily, making it work harder. Overheating may become an issue; if left neglected, it could result in system failure. This will require repair to restore heat. Also, it’s important to place your filter in the correct direction. Placing it in the wrong one will have similar results to a clogged filter, as the airflow will be constricted.
Wanna be sure which way to place the filter?
Even though we may be aware of how vital it is to change our filters, life makes it difficult. You’re constantly being pulled left and right, and it’s easy to forget. Sure, you can leave sticky notes on the fridge or put a notification on your phone—but that may not always work. To make things simpler, try signing up for our auto-delivery program.
After you browse our selection of HVAC air filters, simply choose Subscribe & Save at checkout, and they will be delivered at your convenience. No grocery store visits or “Oops, I forgot”—just a pleasant surprise waiting at your doorstep!
Need air filters for HVAC?
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The Heat Is On, Bad Odors Gone!
Weird things can happen if you neglect to prep your furnace for wintertime, with odd smells being chief among them. Luckily, with a few simple steps like checking your thermostat, inspecting your HVAC system, and replacing your filters – you can be ready! Starting your season with these tips will ensure a healthy, happy holiday.
For more information about HVAC maintenance, check out the following articles:
- How to Save Money on a HVAC Repair
- How Proper HVAC Maintenance Can Help You Save BIG This Fall
- Why Is Air Filtration Important During the Winter?
- The Return Grille Filter Conundrum! The Ultimate Guide!
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