A residential furnace is a big investment and you want to keep it running as long as possible. But like all machines, eventually, your furnace will need some professional furnace cleaning and maintenance if you want it to run smoothly for years to come. If the smells coming from your heating system are becoming unbearable or you can’t figure out where they’re coming from, then maybe it’s time for regular cleaning! Here we’ll discuss what could be causing those foul odors and how best to clean them out of your system.
How can you tell if it’s a minor or major issue?
If you can identify the source of the smell, then it’s probably just a minor issue. If you’re down for spending $20 or $30 on some basic air fresheners, it’ll be gone in no time. But if things are out of control and your house stinks like rotten egg smell, fish sticks, or feces (yes these are all actual examples), then don’t waste time with air fresheners. You should call up your trusted heating professional to see what they recommend!
How do I know how often my furnace needs to be cleaned?
A good rule of thumb is that homeowners should schedule yearly furnace maintenance once per season. That means if you live up north where it gets cold first, then your yearly tune-up before winter is a good idea! If you’re in the Martinez area, then fall is a great time for annual maintenance.
The two biggest reasons why you should schedule yearly furnace maintenance are to ensure efficiency and to keep your family safe.
In many cases, a dirty furnace filter will decrease the amount of heat that it emits into the home. That means that if your air ducts or vents for some reason aren’t working efficiently, then the furnace is going to have a harder time heating your home. As a result, you might have to turn up the temperature on your thermostat to get comfortable again! This wastes money and reduces energy efficiency in your house.
On top of that, not regularly scheduled cleanings can put homeowners at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Any gas appliances must be regularly maintained by professionals since if there is an accident with the furnace, you want to know that it’s safe.
All of these reasons mean that if you’re looking for a home heating contractor that can help with regular maintenance or just an annual tune-up, we’re the company to call!
Furnace Odors And What They Mean
One of the most common reasons for the strange furnace smell is a dirty air filter. Dirty air filters lead to poor airflow which means that the furnace has to work harder to heat your home. In some cases, it can cause a foul smell from the system as bacteria begins to grow inside it. Take a look at the most frequent odors a furnace produces and the reasons for them to keep your family safe.
1) Rotten Eggs or Sulfur.
If your furnace smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, then it’s usually a result of poor airflow and poor maintenance. A dirty air filter can cause bacteria to grow inside the system which causes an odor as they reproduce. This is dangerous for you and your family since hydrogen sulfide gas can cause both developmental problems in children and respiratory discomfort for everyone else.
2) Ozone or Burning Plastic.
Ozone-causing odors are usually caused by a malfunctioning motor fan that needs its bearings cleaned or replaced. If the motor fan malfunctions because it’s dirty, then there could be excess carbon monoxide being produced inside the home! Burning smells can be a sign of wiring getting too hot or of your fan motor burning out. Call up your professional heating contractor if this happens so they can get everything running smoothly again ASAP.
3) Rotten Fish.
If your furnace smells like rotten fish or any strong organic smell, then you’ve probably got a rodent problem. Rodents crawl into the vents and create nests inside them which causes this odor to emit from the system. It’s important to call pest control ASAP since rodents can chew through wires and cause a greater problem! We recommend calling Top Notch Pest Control if you think your home is infested with rodents or other pests.
4) Diesel or Burning Oil.
These smells are usually caused by oil leaking into the system. If you’re burning more oil than your furnace is designed for, then it can cause strong odors to come from your ducts or vents. If this ever happens, call up your trusted heating contractor so they can get everything back on track!
5) Dust or Musty.
If you smell dust or musty odors coming from your vents, it’s usually caused by poor airflow due to dirty filters/ducts. If proper maintenance hasn’t been done in a while, then the dust and dirt that’s accumulated on the walls of these vents will lead to a dead buildup. This causes poor airflow which can result in more dust and dirt as well as bad smells.
Make sure you clean your home’s air filters monthly and schedule regular furnace cleanings to avoid this problem!
What steps can you take to avoid this in the future?
If your furnace smells like sewage, dead animals, or rotten eggs, then you should schedule a service appointment with a trusted heating contractor ASAP. If they can’t fix the problem right away, then they should be able to give you some good advice on how to address it. Also, make sure that your family is safe from carbon monoxide poisoning by getting your furnace checked yearly by a professional heating contractor.
If you’re looking for a heating contractor in Martinez, CA that can do routine maintenance on your ducts/furnace, then call HSR HOME SERVICES today! We’re your local, trusted heating contractors that will do whatever it takes to get your furnace running smoothly again!
