As the icy embrace of the winter season arrives in Northern California, homeowners and business owners throughout the region venture indoors to beat the chill by firing on their furnaces. If it's the first time firing up your heater this season, you might notice it emits an odd odor that smells like something is burning. If you find yourself in this situation, don't panic; we can help! A burning smell can seem worrisome, but it's not always cause for worry or panic. In this guide, our furnace repair company discusses potential causes for burning smells from electric furnaces, gas furnaces, or other heating systems.
Spoor's Heating & Air Conditioning offers reliable air conditioning and heating services to residential and commercial properties throughout Northern California. Contact our HVAC technicians today to schedule HVAC services for your property!
Dust Accumulating On The Furnace
If your furnace emits a foul odor reminiscent of burnt dust, you might take comfort in the fact that accumulated dust is the most common source of a burning smell from heaters, and, fortunately, it's also among the least worrisome. Throughout the summer months, when your furnace remains untouched and unused, dust settles on and in just about every part of your heating system. As the outdoor air cools and you turn on your heater, it's common for several initial cycles to burn off the accumulated dust and fill the air with a burnt scent. If the scent lingers after several cycles, you should clean or change the filter or contact our HVAC company. Whether your home or business uses a heat pump, furnace, electric heating, or another heat source, any dormant system is likely to emit a burnt smell once it is used again.
Debris Stuck In The Heater
During extended periods of dormancy or inactivity, it's not uncommon for debris and foreign objects to find their way into your HVAC system and become stuck there. This is particularly common in residential and commercial spaces with central heating and cooling systems and multiple air vents dispersed throughout the property. If the source of the burning smell seems to be a particular room or specific vent, there may be debris trapped within the vent that's causing the problem. If you're unsure or want expert help, call Spoor's Heating & Air Conditioning!
Dirty Air Filters & Vents
Dirty air filters and clogged registers and vents can result in unpleasant, musty odors and burning smells when you turn on your heating system. Twice-yearly planned HVAC maintenance is crucial to maintaining your system and ensuring it will function properly whenever you need it for its functional lifespan. Professional heater tune-ups are among the most effective ways to prevent burning smells from occurring in your system. During a maintenance call, our technicians inspect each system component, look for any dirty filters or clogged air vents, and leave your system functioning optimally. Contact us today to schedule HVAC maintenance and to learn how you can benefit from joining our Home Comfort Club!
Accumulated Debris & Dander
If your home or business has pets or animals present, particularly those with fur or hair, then that fur or hair will likely accumulate within your HVAC system over time. That means that when you turn on your heater after not having done so for some time, this accumulation of hair and fur heats up and emanates a burning odor. Regularly cleaning and changing your furnace and air filters is a good first step in remediating this issue. For individuals with pets or animals frequently within indoor spaces, using certain filters designed to trap hair and allergens can help reduce the amount of pet hair and dander filtering through their HVAC systems.