When your heater turns on, does it make a burning smell that has you racing from room to room, searching for a fire? If so, you’re not alone — that burning odor is fairly common and, in many cases, completely harmless. However, it can be indicative of an electrical problem or broken components. Having been in business since 1974, McGowan’s Heating & Air Conditioning is here to go over a few of the most common causes of that burning smell and how to fix them.
Your Heater May Have a Backup of Dust
In the Sunshine State, heaters are rarely necessary, so there’s ample time for them to gather dust. Therefore, you may notice a foul, dusty odor when you first turn on your heater. This happens as your heater burns off the dust that has accumulated. Though unpleasant, the burning smell when the heat is on is not a cause for concern, and it should fade within a few minutes.
Solution
If it doesn’t, you feel the odor is much worse than usual, or you continue to notice the stench throughout the first day or two, change your air filters. They may be dust-filled, and when they are heated, it can trigger the same odors. Once this is done, if the odor is still unpleasant, turn off your heater until a professional can check for underlying issues.
Your Heater May Have Electrical Issues
If your heater smells like burning chlorine or rubber, this could indicate more significant issues. However, it is most likely you have a foreign object or something else in the system that causes a burning smell when the heat is on, especially if the odor is confined to one room.
Solution
The first step in tracing the problem is to check your vents. It will save you from worrying if you can find a simple solution. Look inside floor registers to check for foreign objects. If there is excess dust, you may vacuum it out and remove the scent.
Once you have checked the vents and determined they are clear, turn off your heating unit until you can seek help with your heater to ensure it is free of electrical issues. If it overheats, your blower motor may seize up. It is a safety feature, but having it happen could cause additional electricity to travel into the heater as it tries to work. When this happens, heat may build up in your system and become dangerous.
Clogged Air Filters May Be the Culprit
If you don’t take care of routine maintenance on your heating system, it can cause a burning smell when the heat is on. Dust, mold, and mildew may be in your heating system or ducts, especially if the scent is musty.
Solution
You should change your filters immediately to see if it helps clear the air. If this doesn’t effectively remove the odor, the problem could require a professional cleaning of the ducts and heating system.
When to Call in the Experts
Foul odors and a burning smell when the heat is on rarely indicate a significant problem. You can easily handle them without help, or they can dissipate. However, odors that don’t fade away can require the help of a professional. You should also turn off your system if your heater smells like burning or any of the other following smells:
- Rotten Eggs, which could indicate a natural gas or propane leak. It is best to leave your home until the gas company can assess the risk.
- If you smell sewage, it could indicate there’s a problem with the wastewater line or the sewer near the heater.
- Chemical odors or the scent of formaldehyde could indicate your heat exchanger is broken. Please turn off your heater immediately, as it raises the risk of a fire and may cause carbon monoxide fumes.
- Smoke can indicate that the exhaust vent or flue pipe is blocked and has nowhere to go. You should open your windows and call a professional.
In short, you can always call a professional if you feel an odor needs to be addressed. At McGowan’s Heating & Air Conditioning, we think that if it concerns you, it concerns us, and we want to help you eliminate the burning smell when the heat is on.
Jacksonville Heating Repairs
Noticing a burning odor when your heater kicks on can be alarming, but it’s often nothing to be too concerned about. Chances are your heating system just needs a little TLC to clear up the smell. Other times, your system needs professional service to get it running normally again. At McGowan’s Heating & Air Conditioning, our HVAC experts provide dependable repairs, maintenance, installation, and replacement services in Jacksonville, FL. Call us today to schedule your service appointment.
