Burning Smells Coming from Furnace and Ducts

*Sniff*...What's that smell?

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


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Alberta Furnace Cleaning Reviews

Alberta Carpet and Furnace Cleaning were excellent. When I asked for a quote, they called me right away and sent it with all the details and pricing. They advised their arrival time and were punctual. Upon arrival, the technicians, Andrew and Lance, put their masks and shoe covers on and went through the service and what it entailed. They were efficient, considerate, thorough, courteous, kind, and professional throughout whole process and went above and beyond to explain details and suggest maintenance best practices to ensure the upkeep of the furnace. They processed payment and sent my receipt with details immediately to my email. I will definitely use again and would highly recommend Alberta Carpet and Furnace Cleaning for their transparency and exceptional work. I applaud Lance and Andrew for their impeccable customer service and professional expertise. Thank you!

- Cecilia Latorre

They were very good and prompt at there job! They were easy to talk to and they explained to me what they were doing! They made sure that my cat Coco was ok and safe before I could move her! I would recommend this company to anyone! I will be calling them back in 2 years! I give you 10 stars!! Thank you again 😊

- Jen Langford

Hey a huge shout out to Andrew and his crew. They were fun to interact with and made a stressful situation for me into a pleasant journeyman interface. I like a person that loves their tools and enjoys demonstrating that skill. WELL DONE ANDREW. Thank you for an enjoyable experience.

- Michael Turner

Fantastic service! Prompt, courteous, clean and very professional. The actual price was less than the original quote. If your looking for a great company, look no further.

- Scott Garner