Although you might not know that winter is around the corner, some smells will remind you. While for some people it’ll be the smell of pine trees and dinner in the oven, for others, it’ll be the burning smell when they turn on their heaters. This burning smell is a concern for many homeowners in San Antonio, although it’s avoidable. Thus, you shouldn’t be worried. Here’s all you need to know about the burning smell from your heater and how you can avoid it.

A Burning Smell From Your Heater

If you reside in San Antonio, you’re aware that the weather all year round is conducive and that a heater is not necessary. Thus, once you turn off the heater during Fall, you’ll turn it on during Winter. When the heater is not in use, dust will settle on the equipment. Hence, once you turn on the heater in your home, the fine layer of dust on your heater will first burn off. Therefore, the burning from your heater that you smell once you turn it on is that of burning dust.

Is the Burning Smell Normal?

This burning smell is a normal and natural phenomenon that occurs in every heater. However, if this smell becomes too strong, this will cause heater damage. Hence, the only way to avoid this burning smell when you turn on the heater in the Winter is to have your heater cleaned yearly. Contact us at MD Air Conditioning & Heating to help you clean your heater.

How to Avoid the Burning Smell From Your Heater

Most homeowners in San Antonio are often unbothered by the burning smell since it indicates the beginning of the season. However, others don’t like the smell. Here are some measures you can take to reduce the smell.

The first step in avoiding this burning smell is to clean your heater yearly. This will ensure that the heater is always dust-free when you turn it on. Thus, the burning smell when you turn on the heater at your home will be absent. The second way of avoiding this burning smell is to change the furnace filters frequently. This is important since dust is the main reason for this smell. Thus, if you frequently change them, most of the dust in the house will be trapped in the filters. Additionally, the filters will absorb any odors.

Other Types of Smells From Your Heater

The initial burning smell from your heater shows that the heater has not been used for a long time. However, there are other types of burning smells that might emanate from your heater, such as:

Electrical Burning Smell

The electrical burning smell is a different phenomenon than the initial burning smell. This burning smell is a result of an overheated blower motor. Thus, if you notice this smell, you should check the blower motor. This can be done by inspecting the blower motor for any signs of overheating. Furthermore, you should check the blower motor for any signs of smoking. In case the blower motor is overheated, it may need to be replaced. If you think that your blower motor is overheated, contact MD Air Conditioning & Heating.

Burning Plastic or Rubber Smell

The burning plastic or rubber smell occurs when the flue damper is left open. Therefore, if you notice this smell, you should close the flue damper to avoid the smell. Additionally, the only way to avoid this smell is to clean your chimney and furnace regularly. If you feel that the burning smell is not going away, you should consult MD Air Conditioning & Heating.

Musty Smell

The musty smell is a sign of excessive heat or humidity in your house. Additionally, this smell can come from mold in your ductwork or heating system. Thus, if there is a musty smell, you should check the ductwork in your home. If you find excessive mold, consider duct cleaning. Duct cleaning will not only handle mold but will also improve the air quality in your home. If the mold is beyond your HVAC system, consider consulting with a mold removal company.

You might also encounter oily or smoky smells and, at times, smells like gun powder. These are severe problems in your system that must be addressed by a professional.

There are many other types of odors that can emanate from your heating system. To avoid these odors, you need to regularly clean your heating system, especially before winter. In case the burning small is not normal, contact us, MD Air Conditioning & Heating. We also offer heat pumps, heating maintenance, AC installation, and AC repair.

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