Furnaces shouldn’t produce odors at all, let alone bad odors. Some smells are relatively benign, such as the scent of burning dust when you first turn the furnace on each fall, but others indicate the need for immediate repairs. Read on to learn about the reasons behind four specific smells.
1. Formaldehyde
In many instances, a cracked heat exchanger can produce the smell of formaldehyde. If you have this happen to your furnace, then you need an immediate repair from an expert. A damaged heat exchanger can release carbon monoxide into your home.
2. Rotten Eggs
Natural gas is odorless in its raw state. Gas companies add a sulfur smell to it for safety. If you smell something like sulfur or rotten eggs, then you have a gas leak.
In this case, you need to act quickly and safely. Open your home’s windows after shutting off the furnace, and then ask an HVAC technician to investigate and make any necessary repairs.
3. Smoke
As the saying goes, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Because the presence of smoke could mean that your furnace is on fire, this situation also requires swift action. Turn off your furnace, exit your home, and seek professional help immediately .
4. Dirty Socks
A smell like dirty socks indicates the presence of biological growth somewhere in either the furnace itself or in the ducts. Generally, this occurs because of standing water inside the system. Correcting this problems requires an expert.
We’ve served the people of Harrison since 1980, delivering world-class workmanship and first-rate customer service. All our technicians are EPA certified and will work to fulfill all your needs. So, if you need furnace repairs or regular furnace maintenance, then give us a call at GC Reliable Service to set up an appointment.
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