What Is That Smell
Unable to figure out why your house reeks as soon as winter arrives? Tired of spending most of your paycheck on scented candles, air fresheners, and more? Well, you can put the theories surrounding an animal infestation in your subflooring away – the real problem here might be your furnace.
When not maintained properly, furnaces can become a hotbed for foul and unpleasant smells. To learn more about how your furnace works and what may be causing it to produce a potent smell, read ahead.
How the Furnace Works
Your furnace may seem like a complicated system of parts working together. And rightly so. This is because the furnace is a technical piece of equipment that requires careful care and maintenance. The way a furnace works is quite interesting as well. To give you a brief idea of how it works and what parts come together to help keep your home warm and cozy, let’s break it down.
The furnace has a thermostat that controls the temperature at which the heating is produced. When there is a drop in temperature the thermostat signals the furnace to become activated. As this happens the gas valve becomes operational and ignites the burner. This is situated below the combustion chamber which is quite durable and sturdy and is part of the control system of the furnace.
The burner produces enough flames to heat a vital component of the furnace, the metal heat exchanger. This is known as the heat source of the furnace. From here, the heat begins to pick up momentum and flows through the tube in the heat exchanger in a circular manner. This is what we have often studied as kids in school, about the cyclical movement of warm and cold air movements in specific areas.
Lastly, the heat is then transferred through the plenum via a blower motor and a fan. Thus, helping the heat reach all parts of the property via an intricate distribution system of ducts and vents. As the desired temperature is attained, the thermostat then signals the gas valve to switch off the heater until needed again. For an electric furnace, a similar process is carried out except the heat source is via an electric current.
However, this process of frequent heating can be susceptible to damage and result in foul smells if not addressed in its initial stages. There are several reasons why your furnace may smell apart from the constant shifts in heating and cooling. Some of them can be broken down as follows.
Why Your Furnace May Producing a Foul Smell
The catch here is to identify the type of smell your furnace is producing. This is because each type of smell is associated with an underlying cause. Once you have this figured out, you can have it addressed without delay.
Burning Wires or Leaking Gas
If you experience a sharp smell of ozone or chlorine, chances are there is wear and tear in your blower motor or there is a gas leak. For electric furnaces, excessive heating up can produce a smell similar to melting wires. This can result in a spark and lead to a fire outbreak as well. Thus, the moment you come across such a smell, it’s best to switch off your heating and call in the professionals.
Dirty Laundry
If your furnace is producing a smell that is similar to dirty socks, the gym, or even moldy cheese, then chances are there has been a buildup of bacteria inside your furnace. This is usually the case when your furnace hasn’t been operational for a while. The sudden and constant change between heating and cooling can lead to condensation, thus resulting in a mold outbreak. For this a deep cleaning is important. You don’t want to end up having black mold poisoning as it can be hazardous to health.
Dusty and Smokey Smells
This is one of the most common reasons for furnaces smelling. Your home may smell exactly like your basement after the furnace has been turned on. This happens when there has been an accumulation of dust and debris in the ducts. This is not going to damage your furnace unit, however, a replacement or cleaning of your filter may be needed. For this, a reliable and professional service provider is required. They can have the filter cleaned out and your furnace inspected within a day, allowing you to enjoy a warm evening with your family and friends.
The Types of Furnaces
HVAC systems can come in various types and forms. Each may be suited to the needs of the user. While furnaces can be heating oil or propane-based, the most popular heating furnaces are either gas or electric furnaces. Let’s look at some of the benefits of each.
- Gas Furnace
- Can last for over 20 years
- Lower costs for heating
- Heat efficient
- Better suited for areas with cooler climates
- Electric Furnace
- Easy to install and maintain
- Cheaper on the wallet
- Durable and has a lifespan of over 30 years
- Produces minimal noise
- Better suited for areas with warmer climates
Get in Touch With Us!
Dealing with HVAC systems can be a daunting task. And if you are unaware of how to ensure the maintenance and upkeep of your furnace, chances are the durability and longevity of the components are being compromised upon addition, no one likes to have their house smelling of rotten debris and dust, it can end up being hazardous to health if left untreated. In an event such as this, there is only one thing to do. And that is calling in a professional service provider who can clean, repair, and help you maintain your furnace.
Allbritten is the partner you can trust. Our furnace repair services are one of the most proficient and affordable ones in Fresno. With us by your side, you can have all your heating services executed in no time! Visit our website or call for more information. Our team will arrive at your doorstep and help improve the quality of air in your home in no time!
