The Real Reason Your Furnace Smells When You First Turn It On In The Fall

As temperatures begin to dip, it becomes unavoidable — it's time to turn the heat on. You flip your thermostat to "heat," there's a whoosh of the furnace lighting, and then you smell it. A noticeable burning smell. So, what do you do? You flip the furnace off, panic a little, and call your local HVAC person, right? Not necessarily. It might not actually be that serious an issue. That burning smell that your furnace puts off the first time you turn it on in the fall could just be dust.

So, how do you know if the burning smell coming from your vent is just dust, and not something more serious? And how do you go about preventing that initial gust of stinky air when you first turn on your heat for the season? There are some smells your furnace can put off that warrant calling your local furnace repair person. You should call if you smell burning plastic, car exhaust, chemicals, or rotten eggs. You should also turn off your furnace and call a professional if the smell lasts for more than ten minutes. These are signs that it might actually be time to replace your furnace.

If you're smelling something akin to burnt hair after you've turned your heater on for the first time in the fall, it's most likely just dust burning off. Over spring and summer, your furnace isn't running, and like other areas of your home, it can accumulate dust. The best way to avoid this stinky situation every year is with some simple maintenance.

Now that you know the most likely cause of that weird burning smell from your furnace, what can you do to prevent it? Well, there are some dos and don'ts of prepping your furnace for the chilly winter season that can help stop the stink. And getting yearly maintenance is one of the biggest dos. It's important not just to prevent dust buildup on your furnace coils, but to catch other issues before they become bigger problems. Calling a furnace repair person out to your home in the dead of winter is never a fun prospect. That is, if you can even get one to come out quickly, because they are very likely extremely busy.

You can also do some things yourself to help prevent that stinky fall furnace smell. One way is to change your furnace filter regularly. And it might be more often than you think, especially if you have pets. Vacuum regularly around intake vents and inside your registers. It's also a good idea to keep the area around your furnace clear of items — this will ensure proper airflow and less dust. You can have your ducts professionally cleaned every year to reduce dust buildup as well. All of these measures will not only prevent stinky smells but also extend the life of your furnace, which will, in turn, save you from costly repairs.