The Possible Culprits Behind the Burning Smell Coming From Your Heater

After sitting dormant for months at a time, your building’s heater may produce an unexpected and altogether unpleasant surprise when you turn it on for the first time. While a burning smell coming from your electric heater, furnace or heat pump is common and usually not a cause for alarm, it may indicate electrical issues or broken components. 

Here Comfort Zone of North Florida, a trusted commercial HVAC service provider in the region, discusses a few common causes of this burning smell and how to handle them.

• Clogged air filter – A clogged air filter collects a multitude of dust, hair strands and other debris. When warm air enters the dirty filter, it can create an unpleasant burning smell. You can easily clear up the odor by getting a new air filter. This is a simple DIY fix, but if the burning smell persists, you may need to call our specialists for an inspection and possible repair.
• Wiring problems – In some cases, the burning smell is due to your system’s electrical system. Issues with wiring aren’t common, but they do happen occasionally, so it’s important to get to the bottom of such odors. If you’ve recently changed the air filter and the burning smell continues, we recommend calling an expert – especially if the odor starts to smell more like burning plastic. As your go-to HVAC contractor, we’ll make sure our technicians arrive at your home promptly to inspect the system and make quality repairs.
• Dust – During  the summer, dust can settle on the burners, furnace and other heating systems. When the unit kicks on, this dust will burn away, creating that all-too-familiar unpleasant smell. If it’s truly caused by dust, the smell should clear up in just a few minutes and won’t require a unit repair.

Do you need help with your heater? Comfort Zone of North Florida can help address any issue with your HVAC system through our topnotch commercial heating and commercial air conditioning services. To schedule a FREE consultation, give us a call at (904) 406-0070 or complete our contact form. We serve homeowners in Orange Park, FL, and the surrounding communities.