Why Is There a Burning Smell When I Turn On the Heat?

If you notice a burning smell coming from your HVAC system, it’s essential that you must take action immediately. This blog post will discuss the different types of burning smells from your HVAC system and what could be causing them. Your local plumbing services provider will also share some troubleshooting tips, along with advice on how to prevent this particular issue from happening.

Different Types of Burning Smells from HVAC Systems

There are quite a few things that may cause your HVAC to generate a burning odor. An electric burning smell, for instance, is most likely due to overheated electrical components. This can occur if the HVAC is overworked, or if the system has a problem with its wiring. Because the heating system is usually dormant in summer, dust and debris can also build up inside it. Turning the heat on for the first time will cause the dust and debris to burn up, which in turn, causes the system to produce that unpleasant burning odor.

How Can You Troubleshoot the Problem?

Turn the system off and check the wiring. If it looks burnt or damaged, that’s likely the cause of the burning smell, and you’ll need to call a professional for the necessary fix. On the other hand, the odor caused by dust and debris burning up in the heating system is not always something you should be worried about–the smell should disappear on its own. But if it persists for more than a few minutes, there might be another, more pressing issue. In some cases, the odor coming from your heater might even smell of rotten eggs, which is indicative of a gas leak. Either way, switch the heat off, open all the windows, evacuate outside, and promptly call a trusted HVAC contractor like A-1 Comfort Care Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for assistance.

How Can You Prevent the Burning Smell?

To stop the burning smell from occurring in the first place, make sure to clean your heating system thoroughly before switching it on. Keep in mind that burning smells coming from your heater usually indicate a problem. By scheduling regular inspections and tune-ups with an HVAC & plumbing service team, you should be able to prevent these issues from popping up.

Call Us for Superior HVAC Services

If you’ve noticed a burning smell coming from your HVAC system, take action immediately. Take action if you notice a burning smell from your HVAC system. Try to identify the cause of the odor, and then call a professional to have any problems handled. The sooner the issue is fixed, the better off you’ll be. A-1 Comfort Care Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in Wall, NJ is a professional HVAC company that can help you with all your heating and cooling needs. Call us today at (732) 578-0379 to schedule a consultation.