Have you noticed an unpleasant smell coming from your heating system? While this may be alarming, it is very common, especially if you turn your heating on after a break. Some of these smells are harmless and will dissipate after a few hours of use. Still, others could indicate a potential problem that may require a service call from a heating company in Knoxville to resolve the issue entirely. Let's take a look at some of the common smells that could be coming from your heating and how to solve them!

Burning Dust

The most common smell to come out of your heating system is burning dust. This is a distinctive smell, and you will immediately recognize it if you have ever smelled it. It usually happens because a thick layer of dust has collected on the heating element due to the heating not being used for an extended period of time. It can also be due to a dirty filter or dirty ductwork. In a lot of cases, the smell will dissipate in an hour or two after the bust has burnt off, but in particularly bad cases, for example, if you have just moved into a home that has been empty for a long time, the dust may be too heavy to burn off on its own. In that case, book a service call with a heating company in Knoxville to clean your ducts, replace the filter and clean the heating element.

Burning Plastic or Rubber

Another very distinctive smell that may emit from your heating is the smell of burning plastic or rubber. However, unlike burning dust, this could be a cause for concern. If you do smell burning rubber or plastic, it is important to turn off the heating immediately and contact a heating company in Knoxville for a service call or inspection. The inner workings of your heating system are designed to withstand high temperatures, but as they get worn out or become damaged, they may lose some of that heat resistance. If they remain exposed to the heat for an extended time after that happens, they present a potential fire risk. During an inspection, the technician from your heating company in Knoxville will check all the components for signs of damage or wear and replace them with new, heat-resistant parts, making the heating safe to use once again.

Rotten Eggs

If your home has a gas connection and you smell rotten eggs coming from your HVAC system, this is considered an emergency! It is an indication that a gas leak is present. Natural Gas is odorless and colorless, so Mercaptan is added to it so that in the event of a gas leak, the distinctive rotten egg smell will alert homeowners of a leak that they otherwise would not be able to smell! If you have gas at home, make sure you know the appropriate procedures to follow in the event of a gas leak. you mustn't ignite your pilot light or any other source of flame if a gas leak is suspected. You must immediately remove everybody from the property and contact your gas supplier and emergency services.

Rancid Smell of Decay

One smell that nobody wants to take a whiff of is the smell of a decaying animal. This is often described as smelling like rancid cabbage at first. This can happen if a rodent or bird gets into your vents and dies. It will start to decay fairly quickly and release some very unpleasant odors. Call a heating company in Knoxville to arrange a duct cleaning to remove expired animals in the vents and rid your home of this nasty smell.

Chemical Scent

The heat exchanger in your system produces toxic gases such as Carbon Monoxide as a byproduct of the combustion process. This is housed in a specially design chamber to keep those gases from escaping. However, you may smell an odd chemical odor if there is a crack or other leak. Some describe this as an almost fishy smell! If you notice this smell, it is essential to call a heating company in Knoxville for a maintenance visit, as these fumes can be a hazard to your health if left unchecked. Replacing a heat exchanger can be expensive, so it is a good idea to schedule regular inspections to keep it in good working order rather than waiting for something to go wrong!The heat exchanger in your system produces toxic gases such as Carbon Monoxide as a byproduct of the combustion process. This is housed in a specially design chamber to keep those gases from escaping. However, you may smell an odd chemical odor if there is a crack or other leak. Some describe this as an almost fishy smell! If you notice this smell, it is essential to call a heating company in Knoxville for a maintenance visit, as these fumes can be a hazard to your health if left unchecked. Replacing a heat exchanger can be expensive, so it is a good idea to schedule regular inspections to keep it in good working order rather than waiting for something to go wrong!

Hopefully, this guide can help you to identify what potential problems the smells coming from your heating system could be indicating. The best way to avoid these smells is to have regular maintenance on your HVAC system at least once per year, although we highly recommend two seasonal visits, one in Spring and another in Fall.

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Gent Heating and Cooling provide heating and air conditioning for residential and commercial clients in Knoxville, Knox County, and the surrounding East Tennessee area. Over 20 Years experience. Customer Service is Our Top Priority. We strive to be on time, provide accurate estimates, and have most replacement products on our service vehicles.

Call 865-213-9202 or email office@genthvac.com

www.gentheatandcool.com