When you turn on your furnace for the first time in fall or winter in Gambrills, MD, you may notice that there is a slight dusty or musty smell coming from your vents. This is perfectly normal and usually caused by a buildup of dust and debris on the internal components of your heating equipment. The smell should go away after a few minutes, and you can use your furnace normally. There are some other smells that you may notice as well, and some of them require the assistance of our team at JJ Heating & Cooling Company.
Musty Odors
Musty smells usually indicate that you have mold somewhere in your HVAC system or elsewhere in your home. Mold spores can be devastating to your health, causing allergy symptoms, headaches, fatigue, inflammation, and other chronic issues. There is likely a problem with moisture in your home if mold is growing, whether it be from a plumbing leak, high levels of relative humidity in the air, or a broken condensate drain line.
The Smell of Rotten Eggs
The smell of rotten eggs coming from your vents is extremely unpleasant — and very dangerous. Natural gas is odorless and colorless, so utility companies add a sulfur chemical whose smell resembles that of rotten eggs. If there is a natural gas leak in your home, the smell of rotten eggs indicates that you should immediately vacate the home and contact your natural gas provider for assistance.
The Smell of Something Burning
There may be an electrical issue in your furnace if you smell something burning. An electrical odor can occur in the wires of your furnace or various components. Broken wires, worn components, or overheating parts may be present. There may even be debris that is catching fire or sparking.
Chemical Smells
Chemical odors can also indicate electrical issues in your furnace. There may be a crack in your heat exchanger, which can allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. Immediately shut down your furnace if you smell chemicals, and contact our team for assistance. Using a carbon monoxide detector in your home can help catch a leak before levels reach an unsafe level.
The Smell of Plastic or Rubber
It’s common for parts in your furnace to overheat, especially if they are damaged. You may notice the smell of burning plastic or rubber if a belt is malfunctioning. There may also be damage to your blower motor, wires, or other components.
Preventing Abnormal Furnace Smells
Scheduling a routine inspection and maintenance appointment with our team is a great way to prevent abnormal furnace smells. We can spot minor amounts of damage before they cause problems, allowing us to make repairs early on. We also clean interior components so that dust and debris don’t cause out-of-the-ordinary smells.
Dealing With Poor Indoor Air Quality
If the air in your home smells musty, dusty, or simply not fresh, you may be dealing with poor indoor air quality (IAQ). The prevalence of contaminants like dust, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander can all diminish the quality of your indoor air. We recommend that you change your furnace filter every 30 to 90 days to help trap particulates before they can circulate in your home.
It’s also a good idea to consider investing in whole-house air purification or filtration equipment. These devices can remove as much as 99.97% of the particulate matter in your air. Whole-house filtration often uses high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) or activated carbon to promote a fresh-smelling home.
You can also have a UV light installed onto your HVAC system to reduce the prevalence of microbes in your ductwork and living spaces. This can promote optimal indoor air quality and cut down on the number of illnesses that you and your household members pass around during the winter months.
If you would like assistance with your furnace, including diagnosing odd smells, contact our team here at JJ Heating & Cooling Company. Additionally, we provide routine maintenance and install different types of heating and cooling equipment. We also offer commercial HVAC services, indoor air quality testing, ductwork repairs, ductwork cleaning, chimney and liner insulation, and more.
Contact JJ Heating & Cooling Company today to schedule furnace service in Gambrills.
