If there’s a bad odor coming from your furnace in Hobbs, NM, pay attention to the scent. What it smells like can give you a clue to its cause. Here’s a look at some furnace odors, their causes and whether the odor is potentially dangerous.
Rotten Eggs
If you have a gas furnace, you might smell rotten eggs or sulfur when there’s a gas leak. Natural gas is colorless and odorless, and inhaling it is potentially life-threatening. Gas companies add a stinky chemical called mercaptan to the gas to let you know gas is in the air.
A gas leak is dangerous, so turn off your furnace if it smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. The furnace will need an HVAC professional to check it and perform a maintenance or repair service. But first, immediately call your local gas company for help and avoid using anything that has an open flame.
Burning
You might notice a scent that smells like plastic or rubber burning in the furnace. This could signal several problems, including overheating, melting wires or a bad motor. Dust buildup or a dirty filter can also possibly cause this odor.
Dust buildup and a dirty filter aren’t life-threatening situations. You can change the filter, and the dust will eventually burn away. But if the burning smell gets stronger or doesn’t go away, that’s cause for alarm.
A burning smell is possibly a fire hazard, so turn the furnace off. Keep the furnace off until you get it checked and receive confirmation there’s no threat of fire.
Smoky Furnace Odors
If your furnace uses oil for fuel, an overly strong smell of oil or a smoky odor can indicate a problem. A burner might have a clog or there’s oil leaking inside the furnace.
There’s also the possibility that the oil isn’t burning properly, which is a fire hazard. It’s best to turn the furnace off until a professional HVAC service technician checks it.
Some furnace odors are harmless, but there’s also the possibility that there’s a serious problem. Call I.T.S. Refrigeration & Heating, Inc. when you need service for your heating system.
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