Why Does My Furnace Smell?

Got a funky smell coming from your furnace? When it comes to home heating, a foul smelling furnace is a common problem. While there are many reasons for this issue, below are the three most probable culprits and what you can do to fix them:

Problem 1: Smoke
One of the most serious causes of a foul smell is smoke. If you detect a smoky odor coming from your furnace, you might have a blocked chimney. And as a result, it sends smoke back through the furnace and into your ductwork. If you suspect that your chimney is blocked, call a professional to scope out the situation.

Problem 2: Electrical
What’s that burning plastic smell? Most likely, you have an electrical issue. The problem could most likely be a stuck object in your ductwork, which gives off an odor when overheated. The solve the issue, inspect your registers and removal them to search for a dropped toy or a spill. When in doubt, call a pro HVAC technician to help you out.

Problem 3: Mold
A moldy odor typically means that mold is trapped in the furnace filter. To fix the problem and take precaution moving forward, change the the moldy filter. And if your furnace has an attached humidifier, be sure to inspect it annually and replace or clean as needed. That way, mold won’t attach to your humidifier and cause a foul stench.

Changing the filter on a seasonal basis should prevent further complications with your furnace. However, if you’re unsure of the underlying reason for your foul smelling furnace and aren’t sure how to fix the problem, call an HVAC technician who has the tools and expertise.

At Leslie Heating and Cooling, we are ready and available to help you with all of your home heating complications. And don’t forget, we are here for all your emergency needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! For more information, give us a call at (630) 576-9235 or visit our website.