Troubleshooting Gas Furnace Odors

Furnace Odors You Can’t Ignore in Charlotte, NC

December 21, 2023

If you’re experiencing strange odors coming from your furnace, you may have a problem that needs our attention. To keep your family safe and your furnace running properly, learn how to recognize the following odors and know what they mean:

Rotten Eggs

If your furnace uses natural gas as a fuel source, it can be dangerous if you inhale it. Because natural gas is odorless, gas companies add sulfur, which produces a rotten egg odor so that leaks can be easily detected. If you notice the stench of rotten eggs coming from your gas furnace, get out of your home as quickly as possible and call for professional repairs.

Electrical Burning

When your furnace in Charlotte, NC, overheats, it can cause a metallic or ozone odor. Worn bearings in older furnaces may cause that motor to seize up, which forces the furnace to draw additional voltage. This higher voltage could result in electrical shorts or sparks that can get hot enough to start a fire.

Dirty Socks

The smell of dirty socks occurs when bacteria build up in your furnace’s heating coils. As the coils heat and cool, they create moisture, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. Routine furnace maintenance is the best way to avoid this issue.

Musty Odor

When you first start your furnace for the heating season, you may notice a musty odor. This comes from dirt, dust, and debris that collect on the furnace’s components during the warmer months when you’re not using your system. This odor is strong at first, but it gradually fades away.

If you notice any of these furnace odors, we can help you locate and resolve the issues causing them so that you can enjoy a safe and efficient heating system. Call Bradham Brothers, Inc. today for all of your heating service needs.

Image provided by iStock

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