Has your heater been giving off unusual or terrible smells? Do you find yourself asking why does my heater smell bad? If yes, there are a couple of reasons why this happens and what you can do about it. We take a look at these reasons and solutions to fix a smelly heater in this blog post.
To schedule heater repair or maintenance in the greater St. Louis area, contact the heating and air conditioning experts at Galmiche and Sons. As leaders in the HVAC industry, we have been serving home and business owners since 1950, and can help you with all of your furnace questions, from “Why does my heater smell bad?” to more.
What Types of Smells Does Your Heater Produce and Why?
There are many different smells that can come from your furnace, and they all have different meanings and causes. So if you find yourself asking “Why does my heater smell bad?”, it is important to look at the particular type of smell. Some common problems include:
Musty Smell
This type of musty smell occurs due to high humidity in the air acting upon the heater, or water retention inside the heater. It can smell very stale and when the heater works, the musty smell may spread around the house. Mildew growth in the ductwork is another reason for musty smells from your heater.
What to do about it? – If you notice a musty smell from your heater, you will need to get your ducts, vents, and filters cleaned completely. Ensure that any mildew is removed and make sure the heater is completely dry on the inside.
Burning Rubber/Plastic Smell
If you get the smell of burning plastic or rubber from the heater, it is probably because something is burning inside the machine. Usually, when you overwork your heater, the internal components start to overheat. Although these components are heat-resistant for the most part, they can still start to singe, causing the burning smell. Additionally, the burning smell might be emanating if there is some flammable debris inside the heater and it is getting singed.
What to do about it? – A burning smell can be an indicator of a safety hazard. Switch off the heater for a little while and let the machine cool down. If it is a gas heater, turn off the gas supply to the heater/furnace to avoid any safety issues. Get your heater serviced by an expert technician and also get any damaged parts replaced.
Rotten Eggs Smell
If you notice a sulfur or rotten egg smell coming from your furnace, then the answer to “Why does my heater smell bad?” may be an indication of natural gas leak. This can be dangerous if you do not take immediate action. Other reasons for such a rotten smell could be dead animals, rodents, or insects lodged inside your heater.
What to do about it? – Sometimes, especially during winter, rodents, insects, birds and other small animals try to find warm and cozy places inside your walls, to keep themselves cozy. If they wind up in your HVAC ductwork, it can affect your heater. If the rotten smell is a result of animal remains in the heater, then it is important to get a technician over to get rid of the dead animal remains. However, if the rotten eggs smell is due to a natural gas leakage, you need to contact your gas company as well as HVAC experts immediately.
Contact Us to Learn Why Your Heater Smells Bad
At Galmiche & Sons, we have immense experience in identifying and repairing issues that result in smelly heaters. So, if you’re stuck wondering, "Why does my heater smell bad?", we can identify the source of the bad and unusual smells coming from your heater and provide the required fixes. If necessary, we can replace your heater components as well, allowing you to get a well-functioning and non-smelling heater, just in time for winter. Contact us to schedule a visit to your property in St. Louis today.
