Why Are Strange Smells Coming from My Atlanta, GA Furnace?

While modern furnaces are generally extremely safe, efficient, and reliable, they can occasionally develop issues that require urgent attention. Fortunately, major heating malfunctions often provide plenty of warning. If you’ve caught any of these unusual scents emanating from your Atlanta, GA, HVAC ducts, you may have sniffed out a serious problem.

Dank and Musty Smells

A damp, earthy smell from your furnace typically means you’ve got a problem with biological growth. The environment inside an HVAC system is often warm, moist, and dark — an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms. If left alone, these microscopic invaders can eventually enter the airstream and become dispersed throughout your home. Consequently, it’s best to consult with your local indoor air quality technician as soon as possible to find the appropriate solution.

Burning Smells

When not in use, your heating system has plenty of time to sit around and gather dust. This can produce a burning smell when you finally fire up your furnace, but it should dissipate fairly quickly. If the smell persists or the odor is particularly pungent, it could indicate a more serious issue. A strong smell of burning plastic, oil, or rubber is especially concerning, necessitating an immediate call to a furnace repair company.

Rotten Egg Smells

Since natural gas is odorless and colorless on its own, it’s typically mixed with traces of a compound called Mercaptan. This compound is exceptionally pungent even at very low concentrations, giving the gas a highly distinctive “rotten egg” smell. The odor is immediately recognizable, making it easy to detect even small gas leaks. If you smell a possible leak, quickly evacuate your home and call your gas provider and HVAC company right away.

If you’ve smelled trouble coming from your furnace, don’t take any chances with your safety. Call the dedicated professionals at Ful-Bro Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. to request speedy heating system repairs.

Image provided by iStock