Three Reasons Why You May Smell An Odd Smell When You Turn On Your Heat For The First Time This Winter
When you turn on the heat for the first time, there are times when a funky smell can be produced. When this happens, the smell should dissipate after a few minutes. If the smell worsens or remains constant, you need to contact an HVAC technician to come and inspect your HVAC system right away. The following guide walks you through a few things that may be creating the funky smell you notice:
An Animal in the Heating Ducts
Animals search for warm places to live when the temperatures start to drop. If an animal wants to find its way into your home, a heating duct is often a great option. The technician will be able to inspect the ducts to see if any animals have gotten into them and block the areas that they used to get into the ducts, if they are found. Once the animals are removed, the smell should start to disappear in a very short period of time.
An Improperly Working HVAC System
There are times when a funky smell can be created when an HVAC unit has something wrong with it. As units age, they sometimes stop working as well as they once did. If the unit has a part that needs to be replaced because it has become worn, the HVAC technician will be able to find and replace it quickly and easily.
A Clogged Filter
There are filters that help to block dander and dust from spreading throughout your home when the heat is turned on to warm the house. If the filters have not been replaced in a long time, it can create a very odd smell in the house. If you have never replaced the filters before, the HVAC technician will be able to show you where they are in the house and how to replace them so that you can do it on your own. The technician will also be able to let you know how often you need to replace them based on the size of your house.
It is best to have the unit inspected right away to make sure that there are no issues that need to be addressed. Continuing to use an HVAC system that has an issue could lead to a fire that could cause you to lose everything that you own and for someone to accidentally become injured. You can often have someone come inspect the unit the same day that the issue is noticed.
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