17 Reasons Why There Is a Burning Smell When You Turn on Your Heater
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Some days, when you turn on the heater, you smell a burning smell. And with winter and inflated energy bills fast approaching, there’s always a nagging thought: Is your heater safe? If you’ve ever wondered about that smell when turning on your heater, we’re here to tell you that the burning smell is just fine. It turns out that natural gas leaks are extremely rare. Here are some possible causes of a burning smell when you turn on your heater.
1. DAMAGED ELECTRICAL WIRING
If your heater is not working properly, this is most likely why you are getting a burning smell. Whether it’s improper installation or faulty wiring, there is always the chance something goes wrong when the wires are installed. If this is the cause of your “burning” heater, be sure to call an electrician to fix any damage.
2. TRAPPED DEBRIS IN THE HEATER
If you regularly use your heater, there is always the possibility that a foreign object will end up in it. If this occurs, you will most likely experience a burning smell. This is because a lot of debris can end up clogging the vents inside the unit, compromising the health and safety of those around you.
3. A FAULTY THERMOSTAT
If the thermostat is not allowing the heater to turn on, this is one of the possible causes of a burning smell. More often than not, you will notice this scent when you turn on your heat as your heater turns off as soon as it reaches a specific temperature. This happens because the thermostat is faulty and does not send any heat to the unit.
4. GAS LEAK
Imagine turning on your heater and smelling something burning. You look around and find no source of the smell, but the burning smell continues. This is because you could have a gas leak, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if the issue is left unchecked. When you suspect a gas leak, call Air Docs Heating & Cooling to come to inspect your home for any leaks.
5. OLD HEATER
Just like any other appliance, your heater will eventually break down. This event is often referred to as “out of warranty.” If you have an older heater, you are more susceptible to experiencing a burning smell when you turn it on. This is because there are generally more parts inside the unit that have gone bad.
6. THE HEATING ELEMENT
If you are getting a burning smell from your heater, it could be that the heating element is bad. These are metal coils that are found inside your unit. If one of them has gone bad, it can be causing this smell to occur when the heater is turned on. When this happens, you will need to have the unit replaced.
7. DUST ON THE FURNACE
There is no denying that when you turn on your furnace unit, you will smell things burning. Some people believe this is because of dust on the coils of the unit. If this is the case, there’s no need to worry. You may be experiencing a burning smell because some things can burn in your heater when turned on. These include any fabric that could have been lying around, as well as carpeting under your home.
8. DIRTY FURNACE AIR VENTS OR FILTERS
One of the causes of a burning smell when you turn on your heater is because your filters are dirty. The furnace air filters are located in your unit for a reason — to filter out many contaminants from the air. If they have gotten dirty, this can be one of the reasons why you smell a burning smell when you turn on your heat. When this happens, remove them and clean them to ensure that your home is safe.
10. DAMAGED FURNACE FILTER FAN
If the furnace filter fan is not operating properly, this can cause a burning smell when it is turned on. This is because the air going to the furnace filter does not reach it because of a faulty fan.
11. DEFECTIVE FURNACE BELT
Just like any other appliance, your heater can eventually break down. When this happens, you could experience a burning smell as a result of the defective furnace belt. This is because the belt from your heater can be pulled from its mounting. If this occurs, you will smell something similar to burning rubber when you turn on your heater. If this happens, you will need to replace the belt.
12. DAMAGED FURNACE
If the furnace in your home is damaged or is not working properly, then it can be one of the possible reasons for a burning smell when you turn on your heater. This is because the heating unit has failed. If this happens, you will need to have it fixed before you can use it again. It usually works best to make sure that the furnace in your home is working correctly before using it again. Contact our experts at Air Docs Heating & Cooling for furnace repair in Vero Beach, FL, and surrounding areas for 24/7 assistance.
13. A BURNT-OUT PILOT LIGHT
If you turn on your heater and find out that the pilot light is not working, this can be one of the reasons why you are getting a burning smell. This is because the pilot light is used to ignite the heater once it has been turned on. If this happens, you will need to replace the pilot light as soon as possible.
14. A FAULTY IGNITER
If the igniter is not working properly, this is one of the causes of a burning smell when you turn on your heater. This is because this small device helps to light the fuel and ignite it. If your igniter fails, you will notice a burning smell when you turn on your heater. For this reason, it is important to make sure that this part is in good condition before using your heater again.
15. A DIRTY BURNER HEAD
If the burner head is dirty, this can be one of the reasons for a burning smell when you turn on your heater. The burner head is designed to ignite the fuel used to heat your home. If it is dirty, it will not perform at its best, and you will notice a burning smell while using your heater.
16. DIRTY OR DAMAGED HEAT EXCHANGER
The heat exchanger is a part of your heater, separating the air from the fumes released from your fuel. It is designed to make sure that you do not inhale the fumes from your fuel. If this part is dirty or damaged, it can lead to a burning smell when you turn on your heater.
17. TOO MUCH TANK OIL IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER
If your heat exchanger has too much oil in it, this can be one of the reasons why you have a burning smell when you turn on your heater. This is because the oil that remains there can catch fire and cause a burning smell while using your heater. To prevent this from happening, make sure that the oil levels in your heater get checked regularly.
The most common reasons you could be experiencing a burning smell when you turn on your heater are defective parts inside. When this happens, it is important to have our technicians repair your heater as soon as possible. We offer quick and reliable service to all customers. If you need help in AC maintenance and repair and better indoor air quality in Vero Beach, FL, and surrounding areas, contact Air Docs Heating & Cooling today.
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