4 Furnace Smells You Shouldn’t Ignore

Furnaces are a staple in many Montana homes, and while they are generally low-maintenance, you should be concerned if they’re giving off strange smells. In this post, your heating experts at Airworks, Inc. list four furnace smells that you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Rotten Egg Smell

This is a rather uncommon smell that comes from the furnace, but it’s also the most pressing as it’s a clear indicator that there’s a gas leak. We recommend opening the doors and windows to let in fresh air and leave the house before calling 911. 

2. Metallic Smell

The burning electrical and metallic smell is fairly common and a sign that your furnace’s blower is seizing up as a result of worn-out bearings. This, in turn, forces the motor to use excessive voltage and eventually overheat. Turn off your furnace as soon as possible and give us a call so that we can perform an in-depth inspection of your furnace before we do a heating repair.

3.  A Strange, Chemical Smell

A distinct chemical odor is due to a crack in the heat exchanger of your furnace, which is responsible for cycling heat out of the combustion chamber and into the plenum. You should have this addressed immediately as a broken heat exchanger will increase the risk of fire. It also distributes carbon monoxide throughout your home.

4. Smoke

If you smell smoke, then there’s a blockage in your furnace’s chimney. While it’s tempting to do a DIY cleaning of your furnace, we recommend professional work on this as it could be inherently risky. Airworks, Inc. also has the necessary tools and equipment to ensure that your furnace is properly cleaned. 

We offer complete heating and air conditioning services. Call us today at (406) 630-4170 to learn more about us and how we can help you address those odd smells. We offer expert heating and cooling solutions in Whitefish and Kalispell, MT.