Should you be Concerned About Your Heating System Odors?

It’s no joke to say that you know what the inside of your home should smell like. That’s why it’s easy to notice unusual smells that could mean potential trouble. If you trace those smells to your heating system, some may be a cause for concern. The following brief list will give you an idea of which heating system odors should be tended to immediately.

Rotten Egg

A rotten egg odor coming from a gas heating system is almost always a cause for concern. Natural gas in its usual form has no odor, but gas companies add a chemical that smells like rotten eggs. If you smell this type of odor, and there are no actual rotten eggs around to cause it, you may have a gas leak in your heating system. Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous, potentially causing fires or explosions. If you smell a strong rotten egg odor, leave your home immediately and call your gas company or fire department.

Smoke or Burning

The smell of smoke or burning odors can indicate that internal components of the system are overheating. This can cause damage to the parts of the system. Overheating could also melt the protective covering off wiring, increasing the possibility of electrical shock or fires. Before checking the heating system, make sure it is turned off completely to avoid hazards. Change the air filters and see if that solves the problem. If you see actual smoke coming from anywhere in your heating system, shut it off if possible, then call your fire department.

Electrical odors

Electrical or ozone type odors also indicate overheating, especially of electrical components and wiring. Problems with blower motors can also produce these types of smells. The system should be shut off, preferably at the circuit breaker, before trying to find the source of the smell.

Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions provides top-quality HVAC sales, service, and installation for customers in Orlando and the neighboring Florida communities. Contact us today for more information on keeping your systems running optimally.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).