Burning Smells Coming from Furnace and Ducts

Please note: we do not repair or replace furnace components. If you are concerned about your heating system’s operation, please contact A1 Heating, our trusted referral partner for installation and repair services . 

Smells like burning…

For people who have lived in Alberta for a while, there’s a special smell that signals the coming of fall. It’s not leaves or dirt or rain or snow – it’s the dusty burning smell you get sometime in late August or early September, when your furnace turns on for the first time in a few months and the dust that has settled on your heat exchanger burns off.

This is the smell that for many people also signals the need to book a furnace & duct cleaning.

What is a “normal” season change smell?

1. It is a light dusty burning smell
2. The smell should be temporary – it should only happen for a short while after your furnace kicks in for the season, and should not persist after the first day.
3. The smell should be quite mild
4. The smell should not smell like burning plastic or melting metal
5. There should not be any smoke
6. It might not necessarily mean you need a cleaning – most homes need a cleaning every 2-3 years. If you have had your furnace cleaned more recently but get this smell, it might just be a signal that there’s a small amount of dust burning.

If you have a burning smell coming from your heating system that does not fit this description, you should urgently seek professional assistance. If there is smoke, or a gas smell, you should get to safety and call emergency services.

Normal seasonal cleaning needed? Book now or give us a call at 780-444-3828