What Stinks? Common Heating System Odours

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What Stinks? Common Heating System Odours
Posted On: October 7, 2017

When your heating system at home is working properly, you will not hear any sound... and you will definitely not smell any foul odour. If yours is giving off an unusual odour, don't panic just yet. It's better to know what it is you smell.


Here are some of the most common heating system odours and what they mean:


Rotten Egg


Natural gas is odourless and gas companies add a chemical to it - causing a rotten egg smell. If what you're smelling is a faint odour, observe for a few hours or a day because it may go away quickly. But if the odour is strong, that could mean a gas leak! Quickly open your windows to get proper ventilation. If possible, shut off the heating system and leave your house. You should also call Twintech Heating & Cooling or the fire department in your area to check it.


Burnt or Smoky


If you are catching the odour of burning plastic or wires, it could mean that there's a material inside your system that is overheating. The smell (hopefully, there's no smoke in sight!) could indicate severe overheating is happening. This can start a fire. Shut your system off until the source of the burning smell is located by an HVAC pro.


Dusty


Are you noticing a dusty smell when you turned your heating system on when you got back from your summer trip? See, dust accumulates on your system's components and they can get hot when your system starts running thus causing the smell. The smell will usually be gone within a few cycles.


Electrical


Similar to the smell of burning material, this odour may also be indicative of overheating. It may also mean there is a problem with the motors, wiring, or other electrical components. It may indicate a pending blower motor failure. The system should be immediately shut down and the problem fixed.


Dead Animal


It is not impossible for small animals like mice to reach your heating system or ductwork and die there. It can cause a very foul odour. Of course, this offensive smell would go away as soon as the dead animal is removed and the spot cleaned.


Twintech Heating & Cooling has been providing homes with the solutions you need, including addressing all those odour problems that you might encounter with your heating system. If you are bothered by any of those odours, give us a call!


Re Posted From: What Stinks? Common Heating System Odours

Twintech Heating

[BACK]
What Stinks? Common Heating System Odours
Posted On: October 7, 2017

When your heating system at home is working properly, you will not hear any sound... and you will definitely not smell any foul odour. If yours is giving off an unusual odour, don't panic just yet. It's better to know what it is you smell.


Here are some of the most common heating system odours and what they mean:


Rotten Egg


Natural gas is odourless and gas companies add a chemical to it - causing a rotten egg smell. If what you're smelling is a faint odour, observe for a few hours or a day because it may go away quickly. But if the odour is strong, that could mean a gas leak! Quickly open your windows to get proper ventilation. If possible, shut off the heating system and leave your house. You should also call Twintech Heating & Cooling or the fire department in your area to check it.


Burnt or Smoky


If you are catching the odour of burning plastic or wires, it could mean that there's a material inside your system that is overheating. The smell (hopefully, there's no smoke in sight!) could indicate severe overheating is happening. This can start a fire. Shut your system off until the source of the burning smell is located by an HVAC pro.


Dusty


Are you noticing a dusty smell when you turned your heating system on when you got back from your summer trip? See, dust accumulates on your system's components and they can get hot when your system starts running thus causing the smell. The smell will usually be gone within a few cycles.


Electrical


Similar to the smell of burning material, this odour may also be indicative of overheating. It may also mean there is a problem with the motors, wiring, or other electrical components. It may indicate a pending blower motor failure. The system should be immediately shut down and the problem fixed.


Dead Animal


It is not impossible for small animals like mice to reach your heating system or ductwork and die there. It can cause a very foul odour. Of course, this offensive smell would go away as soon as the dead animal is removed and the spot cleaned.


Twintech Heating & Cooling has been providing homes with the solutions you need, including addressing all those odour problems that you might encounter with your heating system. If you are bothered by any of those odours, give us a call!


Re Posted From: What Stinks? Common Heating System Odours

Twintech Heating

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