Have you ever turned on your heater and suddenly smelled something burning? It’s very common to notice a musty, dusty burning smell when the heater starts for the first time in a few months. While this burning smell when the heat comes on is not necessarily a fire hazard, it’s unpleasant and can be irritating to people with asthma or allergies.
Why Does my Heater Smell Like Burning When I Turn it On?
The burning smell is usually from dirt and dust that accumulates in air vents, registers, and the furnace itself. Over the spring and summer, parts of your HVAC system gather dust and dirt from disuse. This dirt and dust burns off when you turn the heating system back on.
If you start to smell a musty odor, it can be sign that mold has grown in air ducts. Make sure you call a professional for HVAC service if you suspect mold in your air ducts. An electrical burning smell, or the smell of burning oil can both be signs of serious issues with your HVAC system. Make sure you call an HVAC specialist immediately.
Make sure to check any floor registers to make sure that no plastic items are sitting on the vents, particularly if you notice the smell of burning plastic. It is common for children’s plastic toys or other small plastic items to melt if they sit on hot air registers too long. If they get too hot, they can also cause minor house fires.
What Happens if my Heater Sets off Smoke Alarm?
Many homeowners will have their heater set off the smoke alarm when turning it on for the first time in a while. Sometimes, the smoke smell is strong enough to activate the smoke detectors. This is normal, if this happens make sure to reset your smoke alarms and it shouldn’t pose any real danger.
When Will the Burning Odor Go Away?
The burning furnace smell usually goes away within a couple of hours, once the dust has burned off of the heating unit. However, it can linger for a couple days depending on the amount of dust. If the “heater smell” gets too bad, open the windows and let the odor dissipate. Keep the heater running through this to get the smell out as quickly as possible. If the odors linger for a long time after opening the windows, check your air filters and schedule an air duct cleaning if necessary.
Furnace Safety Tips
- Never store combustible materials near your home’s furnace.
- Keep the area around the heating and air condition unit clear. This means no bikes leaning against it or cardboard boxes stacked up.
- Change your air filter regularly
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before you turn the heater on in the fall
- If your home’s smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarm goes off after turning on the heater, get out immediately and call the fire department for help.
- Likewise, call your utility provider if you smell natural gas.
How Can You Avoid that Burning Smell from the Furnace?
Avoid the nasty “new furnace smell” by having your air ducts and furnace filter cleaned before turning the furnace on for the first time. This will improve your home’s indoor air quality and protect you against that burning smell from the furnace vent. Also, inspecting your air filters and changing them monthly can help with both air quality and avoiding excess dust in the ducts.
Autumn is when you want to smell pumpkin spice, apple cider, and crackling fires, not the smell of burning dust. If you’re smelling burning when the heater starts, don’t be too concerned. It’s a common issue, and rarely causes serious problems.
Can Turning the Heat on Cause a Fire?
Turning the heat on by itself typically does not cause a fire. Modern heating systems, such as central heating systems or electric heaters, are designed with safety features to minimize the risk of fire. However, there are certain scenarios where turning on the heat can contribute to a fire hazard. Here are a few potential causes:
- Malfunctioning or faulty heating equipment: If the heating system is damaged, poorly maintained, or has faulty wiring, it can increase the risk of a fire. This could occur if there are sparks, overheating, or electrical shorts within the system.
- Combustible materials near heating sources: Placing flammable objects like clothing, papers, curtains, or furniture too close to heat sources can lead to ignition. If these materials come into direct contact with a heat source, they can catch fire.
- Blocked or restricted ventilation: Insufficient airflow to the heating system, such as blocked vents or dirty filters, can cause heat to build up in the system. This may result in overheating, which can lead to a fire.
- Human error: Accidental misuse or negligence can also contribute to fire hazards. For example, leaving a portable heater unattended, using improper or damaged extension cords, or forgetting to turn off the heat source can increase the risk of fire.
It’s important to follow proper safety precautions when using heating systems. Regular maintenance, ensuring proper ventilation, keeping flammable objects away from heat sources, and using heating equipment according to manufacturer instructions can help minimize the risk of fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dust in heater cause fire?
Yes, dust in heater can cause fire. The best way to prevent fire is to clean the heater regularly. If you notice any smoke coming from the heater, turn off the power immediately.
Is Burning Dust Toxic?
Burning dust can be dangerous when inhaled, as particles of dust become airborne during the burning process and can get stuck in the lungs. Studies have determined that different types of dust may contain toxins or hazardous materials which, if burned, could produce toxic smoke.
What does fire smell like?
Fire smells like burning wood, smoke, and ash. The smell of fire is caused by the chemical compounds called pyrolysis products. These chemicals are released when organic matter burns.
What does burning dust smell like?
Burning dust smells like rotten eggs. The odor comes from sulfur dioxide gas which is released when coal is burned. Coal is used for heating homes and generating electricity.
What does burning plastic smell like?
Burning plastic smells like burnt rubber. The smell comes from the chemical compounds that are released when plastics burn.
Can dust burn?
Yes, dust can burn. Dust has a very large surface area relative to its weight. Because burning can only occur at the surfaces of solids or liquids, which allow oxygen to react with them, dust can be much more flammable than bulk materials.
What does ash smell like?
The smell of fire ash is often described as a burning smell, similar to the smell of burning leaves or wood. It can also have a smoky or acrid quality to it.
