Your furnace is your best friend in the winter, keeping you warm and comfortable inside your home. But if you hate turning it on because your furnace smells like burning, there’s an underlying problem to look into. While some odors are nothing to worry about, your furnace should never produce lingering smells of burning plastic or electrical components. These are signs of an issue with your HVAC system.
If your furnace smells like burning, here are some possible reasons for this frustrating issue. The best way to handle the situation is to get professional help. HVAC specialists will pinpoint the root cause and perform the necessary repairs or replacements. They can also come in for regular tune-ups to keep your furnace in tip-top shape and prevent bigger issues.
Reasons Your Furnace Smells Like Burning
During the months it’s not in use, your furnace might accumulate dust on its ducts, heat exchanger and ignition system. That’s why you might notice a burning odor when you first turn it on in the winter—the smell of the dust burning off.
While it won’t be pleasant, this smell is normal and should disappear in an hour. You also don’t have to worry about it affecting the air quality in your home. Cracking a window open or turning on a ventilation fan should help disperse the odor.
However, if the odor persists, that’s the time to investigate. Something could be burning inside your furnace system, explaining the stubborn burning smell. These are some possible reasons to consider.
Dirty Furnace Filter
Before air can enter the furnace system, it first passes through the filter, which traps dust, contaminants, pet dander and other particles. Grime can build up on the filter if it’s not replaced regularly, causing dust to recirculate throughout the system, which could explain the unpleasant burning smell in your home.
Overheating Components
A clogged furnace filter hampers airflow inside the system, which is bad news for the blower motor. When air can’t circulate, the heat gets trapped inside the system, leaving components like the blower motor and heat exchanger susceptible to overheating. An overheating furnace can trip the internal limit switches, causing the system to shut down.
Repeated overheating can cause a burning smell and crack the heat exchanger, leading to a carbon monoxide leak inside your home. If you suspect a leak, don’t hesitate to contact an HVAC professional.
Burnt Circuit Board
The circuit board is your furnace’s brain, controlling various system parts. Unfortunately, many issues can cause this component to burn out, which could lead to a gunpowder smell in your home. Power surges, loose wiring, switch and relay problems and old age can all be caused by a fried circuit board. Refrain from using the unit until an HVAC professional has inspected the circuit board and other parts and fixed all issues.
Burning Wires
If you notice a burning plastic or electrical smell while using your furnace, it could indicate electrical issues within your HVAC system. The insulation on your wires can be damaged over time through incorrect voltage, improper installation or general wear and tear.
That can cause your wires to melt or burn, creating an unpleasant odor in your home. Even worse, it can lead to a catastrophic house fire. Never ignore a persistent burning smell coming from your furnace. Contact an HVAC specialist immediately to prevent harm to your home and family.
Foreign Object
If your furnace gives off a burning plastic smell, there could be a foreign object inside that’s melting. Your child might have thrown a toy or a plastic utensil down the vent pipe, or a system component could be smoldering inside.
If you notice this odor, turn off the unit immediately because the fumes might be unsafe to breathe. Wait for everything to cool down, and carefully remove the foreign object if it’s visible. If you can’t locate the source of the problem, let an HVAC professional come to the rescue.
Oil or Gas Leak
Aside from burning smells, furnaces can also emit a rotten egg stench. Take that as a warning sign, especially if you feel dizzy or drowsy when you turn on your furnace. That’s probably sulfur you’re smelling from an oil or gas leak, which can be dangerous to your home and family.
Never let a rotten egg smell go unaddressed. Turn off the HVAC system and get HVAC pros to assess the situation. They’ll fix the oil or gas leak and ensure your furnace works again.
While you always want to feel warm and toasty at home in the winter, let HVAC professionals check your unit if it has a continuous burning smell. They have the tools and expertise to resolve different furnace issues before they snowball into bigger problems. They can also help you identify the signs you need a new furnace.
Why Does My Blower Motor Smell Like Something Is Burning?
The blower motor is a crucial component in your furnace. It controls the airflow inside the HVAC system, turns on the fan to blow air out of the system and into your home, and ensures your home achieves and maintains the temperature set in your thermostat.
Like any other furnace component, the blower motor can eventually malfunction. You can tell it’s about to kick the bucket when there’s an endless dust supply in your home or the airflow isn’t as strong. Another warning sign is if the blower motor smells like something is burning. That means the blower motor is overheating, which could harm the entire unit.
Dirty air filters and blocked vents are the usual culprits behind an overheating blower motor and the burning odor in your home. They hamper the airflow inside the HVAC system, making it harder for your furnace to “breathe” and function efficiently. Inadequate airflow will push your unit to work harder, causing its parts to overheat. Eventually, the whole system might shut down, leaving you chilly inside your home.
If you notice a burning smell from your furnace and suspect an overheating blower motor, try replacing the air filter. That should improve the airflow inside the system, relieve the unit of unnecessary strain and eliminate the lingering odor in your home. HVAC specialists recommend changing your air filter every three months. It’s also a good idea to schedule professional furnace maintenance at least once a year. They know how furnaces work and how to best care for them.
Why Does My HVAC Smell Like Burning Rubber?
No one wants to turn on their furnace, expecting warm, toasty air only to have a horrible burning rubber smell. If the odor refuses to go away, you might want to look into these possible causes.
Clogged Air Filter
A clogged air filter restricts airflow inside your HVAC unit, causing it to overheat. That can send a burning rubber smell wafting through the vents. You can prevent this issue by replacing the air filter every three months.
Broken Fan Belt
If there’s a burning rubber smell and a squealing noise from the vents, you likely have a damaged fan belt. This component connects the fan blades to the motor. If broken, the fan blades might rub against each other, causing a burning rubber smell.
Unfortunately, fixing a broken fan belt isn’t a task for homeowners. Even if you’re confident in your DIY skills, it’s best to let HVAC pros take over. They will do the job correctly and have your HVAC system running smoothly again.
Overheated Fan Motor
An overheated fan motor is another possible reason for the burning rubber smell. When this component gets too hot, it can melt the insulation on the wiring, explaining the scent. It’s a potentially dangerous issue that requires immediate professional attention.
If you think you have an overheated fan motor, turn off the HVAC system and wait for an HVAC specialist to assess the situation. Attempting to repair it yourself might only lead to more costly damage to your unit.
Damaged Capacitor
The capacitor stores energy to help power up the HVAC unit during start-up. If it’s old and malfunctioning, it can overheat frequently and emit a burning rubber smell. Aside from the unpleasant odor, another sign it’s time to replace the capacitor is if it’s swollen.
Regular HVAC maintenance can help keep the capacitor and other components in good working condition. You’ll get more years out of your HVAC unit and save money in the long run.
Turn to the Pros to Fix Your HVAC Troubles
HVAC systems are complicated and can cause homeowners a lot of stress. But that’s what HVAC professionals are for. Don’t hesitate to contact them if you’re experiencing HVAC troubles.
ABC Can Solve Your Heating And Cooling Woes
Furnaces are complex systems, and trying to work on them without special training and tools can create larger problems and can even lead to damage to your home. Instead of taking these risks, contact the professionals at ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our licensed specialists are available all day and all night to handle any HVAC repairs or issue you may be having, such as hearing your furnace making noises.
