Why Does My Furnace in Brandon, MS, Smell So Bad?

There are several reasons your furnace in Brandon, MS, might smell bad. The scent could mean something harmless, but it can also signal a serious problem. Read on to learn what’s causing your furnace to smell so bad and how to fix it.

Dust Burning

You might notice a burning odor when you first use the furnace after months of inactivity. When the furnace kicks on, the heat burns off the dust on the heating elements and releases a distinct smell.

This odor is usually harmless and temporary. It should disappear after a few hours of use when all the dust burns away

Something Musty

A musty smell often means there’s microbial growth inside your furnace or ductwork. This can happen when moisture accumulates in these areas. This type of growth can affect your health and lower your indoor air quality.

Rotten Eggs

The smell of rotten eggs can indicate a natural gas leak if you have a gas furnace. Natural gas is odorless, but a bad-smelling additive is there to alert you to a leak. A gas leak is dangerous, so turn the furnace off and call us for assistance.

Wires Burning

An electrical burning smell could mean there’s an issue with your furnace’s wiring. The smell could also mean a component inside the furnace is overheating. Since burning wires are a fire hazard, turn off the furnace and contact a professional HVAC service technician.

Something Rotting

A small animal, such as a mouse, can get stuck inside your furnace and die. The body of the animal releases bad-smelling gases as it decomposes. The smell will linger until the body dries out completely or you remove it.

A bad odor coming from your furnace isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it’s very unpleasant. Contact Thomas HVAC Services today to schedule furnace repair services.

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