What makes a furnace smell

Call Us. Why Does My Furnace Smell? When your furnace emits a burning smell or and metallic smell, this is usually a reason for caution. Burning smells can be a sign of wiring getting too hot or of your fan motor burning out. A metallic odor can be a sign of an internal component getting overheating or rubbing up against a moving part.

These types of smells should be checked immediately by your service provider. If you detect smells like these, you should shut off your furnace right away and call your service provider. A smell of rotten eggs is an odor that people may report smelling and it is the chemical gas companies put in their natural gas to alarm the owner of a gas leak.

Natural gas has no odor in its normal state and it is so volatile, one needs to be aware of a leak right away. If you ever smell rotten eggs, turn off your furnace and call the gas company. These smells should be handled with the utmost urgency. The third smell detected by homeowners is one of dust burning. But just as unused items can gather dust in your home, your furnace collects layers of dust and debris during its dormancy. The accumulated dust eventually burns away when you finally fire up your furnace, producing a tell-tale burning odor.

After a few heating cycles, the odor should clear up on its own as the last of the dust is burned away. You can dust and vacuum your furnace to remove some surface dust and minimize burning odors, but not much else needs to be done. Your furnace can also give off musty odors upon startup, especially if your furnace shares the same air handler as your split air conditioning system. Musty odors can manifest themselves from dark and damp environments, especially after long periods of inactivity.

Clogged or otherwise unchanged air filters can also cause your furnace to smell musty. Just like the burning dust odor, running your furnace for a few heating cycles will dry up any dampness and eliminate musty odors.

Have a HVAC professional perform a thorough cleaning of your furnace and its ductwork. If you have an oil-fired furnace, it can occasionally give off unwanted odors. If your HVAC professional spilled any oil while refueling your furnace, for example, the smell can linger for a few days before dissipating entirely.

The cost to install either a gas or wood fireplace is dependent upon several factors. You have two common types of gas fireplaces in homes: gas inserts and built-in models. You install a gas insert inside an existing firebox, while you install a built-in in the wall. With the built-in fireplace, you do not need to have a firebox already in your home. A freestanding wood stove typically costs less to install a traditional built-in wood fireplace.

This is because if you opt for a built-in wood fireplace, you pay for the cost of labor and components, including the masonry. You have other factors that impact the cost of installing either a gas or wood fireplace. If you lean toward gas, you will need to install a new propane or natural gas line if one does not already exist. Additionally, you will need to decide if you want to install a ventilation system. For wood fireplaces, you will need to factor in the cost of replacing an existing fireplace, including the surround and firebox, and the price of installing a new chimney or repairing the existing chimney.

The typical fuel source for a gas fireplace is either natural gas or propane. The price of either will vary throughout the year depending upon several factors, including supply, the time of year, petroleum prices, and state of the economy.

Because prices and availability fluctuate, contacting a professional to help you determine which option is best for you is a great way to ensure you choose the right product. The cost of fuel for a wood fireplace is typically much less, especially if you have a readily available supply of trees on your property. The cost of wood is far less than natural gas or propane, but this can be more time-consuming to gather, cut, stack, and store the wood.

Keep this in mind, especially if you do not have a place to store wood on your property. The cost to maintain a wood fireplace is typically higher.

If you choose a wood-burning stove, you will need to clean it periodically and schedule an appointment to have a professional inspect the unit at least two to three times per year.

If the wood stove does not properly combust the fuel, the stove will not run efficiently. Maintaining a built-in wood fireplace will also cost more on average. In addition to inspecting and cleaning the firebox, you will also need to have a professional inspect the chimney at least once a year.

Luckily, you have professionals who can handle these jobs and will ensure that your built-in wood fireplace is also in amazing shape. A gas fireplace is typically very easy to maintain and care for. If the fireplace has vents, hiring a professional to inspect and clean it at least once a year will prevent clogs. The aesthetic appeal and the homeowner's taste is a huge factor when considering whether to pick gas or wood. If you have a more modern home, a sleek glass fireplace is a great option.

You have several varieties of built-in and insert fireplaces, including models that feature glass logs, stones, or coal. You can even purchase a gas fireplace with a remote control. If you have a more traditional home or simply prefer the classic elegance of a brick or stone facade and mantel, consider a wood fireplace. Many homeowners also prefer the smell and feel of a traditional built-in wood fireplace as well. A recent survey of homeowners found that as many as 40 percent would pay more for a home that features a fireplace.

Whether you choose gas or wood, installing a beautiful fireplace in your home is always a smart investment. If you want to sell your home in the future, ask a local real estate agent about which type of fireplace that homeowners in your area prefer.

From the potential resale value they add to the cost of installation and maintenance, several factors exist that you should consider when deciding to choose a gas or wood fireplace for your home.

If you have any further questions, contact the professionals at Hartman Heating, Air and Fireplaces. Proudly Serving the Wasatch Front. Call Us Today for a Free Estimate.

Call today for Service or Sales Click to learn about Covid Health and Safety Update. In this blog, we list 10 common causes of abnormal furnace odors.

Cracked Components Your furnace as a unit may last for significantly longer than some of its individual components. Damp If your furnace sits in a damp part of your house, this moisture may settle on the unit.

Excess Dust During the off-season, dust may gather in and on your furnace. Gas Leaks Natural gas used for heating is treated with sulphur to give it its distinct rotten egg smell. Intake Contamination Many furnace units intake air from outside the home. Mold In some cases, dampness can lead to mold. Obstructions If your furnace becomes obstructed in any way, one of the first signs that you're likely to notice is a change in air smell.

Old Filters Furnaces are fitted with internal filters that help regulate the air quality in your home. Overheating In addition to the gas leak-related odors discussed in section four, you should also never ignore electrical, hot metal or sparking odors.

Vent Contamination Like the area around your outdoor intake system, what's near your indoor vent registers can affect your furnace smells. The healthiest air for people to breathe is within a certain humidity range.

Discover what to know about humidity as a factor of indoor air quality. New construction gives people the ability to have great HVAC solutions. Learn about these key items for choosing the right HVAC system for your needs. Your home's building envelope is the separation between the inside and outside of your home. Improve it to make your HVAC system run more efficiently.

Slight temperature differences from room to room are common, but extreme variations can make your home quite unpleasant. Fortunately, temperature inconsistencies are fixable once you identify the problem.

If you are struggling with hot and cold rooms in your home, read on to learn more about common causes and possible fixes for these variations.