Why Your Furnace Smells When You First Turn It On

When you turn on your furnace for the first time in a while, it’s jarring to get a musty or dusty aroma instead of fresh air. You’ll be glad to know this problem often points to a lack of maintenance and isn’t usually serious.

However, some furnace odors need immediate professional help (such as rotten eggs or burning). If you’re trying to sort the good odors from the bad ones, our troubleshooting guide will steer you in the right direction. You’ll learn about the source of different scents so you can decide if you need furnace repair in Franklin, MA.

Do you want a professional to check out your furnace as soon as possible? Call Notturno today to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians. 

The Main Reason Why Your Furnace Smells Funny (at First)

It’s common for your furnace to smell a little off if you haven’t used it in a while. Since your furnace is usually untouched throughout spring and summer, it gathers up dust and dirt over time. If there’s any lingering moisture, it might even create a bit of mildew.

Once this dust and dirt heats up, it’ll eventually blow out into the air and create that signature musty scent. A good way to avoid this problem is to clean your furnace before fall and winter hit, including tasks like:

• Rinsing off your furnace filter. You don’t need soap or any chemicals: simply run it under warm water to rinse off the muck, then dry the filter with a rag.

• Wiping off your furnace vents. These vents get pretty clogged with dust and the occasional cobweb over time. Use a dry rag to wipe off any excess build-up.

• Checking for any signs of damage. It’s a good practice to always review your furnace for anything that looks out of order, such as a leak or scorch marks. If you notice something out of the ordinary, it’s time to contact a professional for a heating inspection. 

Musty and dusty odors aren’t usually serious, though they can be very aggravating on your sinuses. However, some odors are serious and will need emergency furnace repair in Franklin.

3 Serious Odors That Need Immediate Professional Help

If you smell any of these odors, don’t delay. Notturno provides 24/7 emergency services to fix damaged, leaking, or foul-smelling furnaces.

1. Rotten Eggs or Sulfur

Smelling rotten eggs is one of the most dangerous odors you can detect from a furnace since it signals a gas leak. Since carbon monoxide has no odor, color, or flavor, manufacturers add a rotten egg-like smell so you can instantly detect a leak.

Your first order of business is to turn your furnace off immediately, then head outside and call an emergency technician. 

2. Burning Odors

Another serious odor is smelling something burning or ‘toasty’. This smell usually points to a physical component in your furnace that’s started to melt, such as from an electrical overload or old age.

As in the first section, turn off your furnace immediately and call a heating professional. Furnace repair in Franklin can replace worn-out parts such as gas valves or thermostats. 

3. Chemical Smell

Lastly, check that your furnace doesn’t have a strange, chemical-like smell (similar to hot glue or paint thinner). This odor can come from a cracked heat exchanger that’s leaking carbon monoxide into your house. If your heat exchanger is damaged, you’ll likely need a new furnace installation. 

If you notice any of these odors, or aren’t sure exactly what you’re smelling, stay safe and call Notturno for emergency services. Even musty odors can be a sign you have a growing mold problem, so it doesn’t hurt to be careful.

Our experienced heating technicians will thoroughly and safely inspect your furnace. We also recommend scheduling yearly heating maintenance to reduce the risk of these issues happening in the first place.

How Yearly Furnace Maintenance Reduces Your Risk for Serious Issues

Your furnace can wear out or break down with you none the wiser…until you get a no-heat shutdown in the middle of a heavy winter. Instead of constantly wondering when your equipment will fail, schedule yearly maintenance. 

Our heating maintenance covers major areas such as testing, cleaning, and calibration to drastically reduce the risk of leaks or breakdowns. When you schedule an appointment over the phone or with our online form, our visits will include tasks like:

• Checking your furnace’s pilot light to make sure it’s the right color

• Cleaning off your filters and vents to create consistent airflow

• Testing and calibrating your thermostat to make sure it’s providing accurate readings

• Reviewing gas pressure and electrical connections

• Checking internal components for damage or old age

Have you put off calling for furnace repair in Franklin because of a tight budget? We can help. At Notturno, we’re committed to helping homeowners get the maintenance and repair they need to live comfortably.

Budget Your Next Furnace Maintenance Visit With Notturno

We offer flexible financing options so you can split up your upcoming maintenance visit into multiple manageable payments. If you qualify, you can get up to 60 months with 0% interest and 0% down.

You can also choose from our current selection of coupons for heating maintenance and heating repair in Franklin, MA. We’re always happy to share our latest deals when you schedule an appointment with us.

If you’re not sure if you should get furnace repair in Franklin or a quick inspection, our team is standing by. Chatting with one of our staff members will clear up any questions you have about next steps.

Contact Notturno for Furnace Maintenance Today

Set your furnace up for success in fall and winter. Let our expert team inspect your furnace’s odd smell to make sure you’re not dealing with any electrical issues or leaks.

Get a furnace inspection in Franklin with one of Massachusetts’ most dependable home service brands. Fill out our online form or call us for emergency service today!