Smelly Natural Gas Furnaces

Burning Smell

• It is not uncommon for homeowners to report a burning or dusty smell when they use their furnace for the first time after an extended period of inactivity. When a furnace is left off for a long time, dust can build up inside the combustion chamber, and when the furnace ignites, it burns off the dust. The dusty smell usually makes its way into each room via the heating ducts, but it will go away after some time. Simply monitor the furnace to see if the smell eventually dissipates.

Persistent Burning Smell

• As noted, burning dust will typically go away on its own after the furnace has been running for some time; if the burning smell persists for some time, the problem could be elsewhere. Check the main air filter for the furnace, as well as any smaller air filters that fit over the vents in your home. If these filters are saturated with dust and other particulates, they need to be replaced. Check again to see if the smell goes away after replacing the filters.

Natural Gas Smell

• Natural gas actually has no detectable smell in its natural state, but gas providers are required by federal and state law to add odorants to the gas, so that consumers can smell a gas leak more easily. The most common odorants used by gas providers are sulfur compounds that give gas a rotten egg smell. If you notice this odor around your furnace and it is stronger than normal, there could be a dangerous gas leak, and you need to get your family out of the home and call 911 or your gas company.

Safety Considerations

• If you suspect a natural gas leak is causing a strong odor from your furnace, do not use a match, lighter, candle or other open flame as a light source. Do not turn on any electrical switches or light switches. Ventilate the area around the furnace by opening windows and doors, and do not go back inside the home until proper authorities declare it is safe to do so.