When you turn on the furnace in your Salem or Keizer, OR, home, you expect to get a rush of soothing warm air quickly and nothing else. However, furnaces are highly complicated pieces of machinery, and there’s a lot that can go wrong. One of the most common issues is to smell something burning, either through the vents or off the heater.
In general, if you smell something burning in your furnace, that problem will require heater repair from qualified professionals. However, that’s not always the case. So, we wanted to investigate why you can get burning smells from a furnace and the various things that can cause this.
Why Your Furnace Smells Like Something Is Burning
1. It’s the first time firing up your furnace this year
Let’s start with the best-case scenario. If it’s your first time firing up the furnace, there’s a very good chance you’ll get musty or burning smells for a little while afterward. This is normal because the furnace has accumulated dust and grime during the months it’s been sitting unused. These get burned off as it heats up until everything combustible is gone.
As long as the smell goes away within an hour or so, there’s nothing to worry about. This could have been prevented by having a furnace check-up before firing it up, which is a good idea but not an absolute necessity.
2. It’s not your furnace; it’s your ducts
Regarding non-problems, what if you keep smelling the burning, but everything seems fine around your furnace? If that’s the case, the issue could easily be in your ducts. Ductwork also attracts dust, grime, oil, and other unpleasant substances. If these have built up during the hot months, they can then start burning or smoldering when the furnace heats the ductwork.
In this case, the solution is simple: professional duct cleaning. Having your ducts cleaned every five years (at minimum) or so is a good idea. This won’t merely prevent odd smells when you run the heater; it’ll also improve indoor air quality by clearing out the contaminants in your ducts.
In particular, dust forming around the exit vents in your ducts is a big sign they need to be cleaned. Ask about our duct cleaning service.
3. The air filter is clogged
When is the last time you cleaned the air filter in your furnace? It’s easy to forget about it, especially during the off-season. However, if the filter is clogged, that will cause many issues – potentially including odd smells. Basically, the furnace heats dust and other materials trapped in the filter, which smolders and sends the smell through your house.
So, check your air filter, which should be easy to access. Then either clean it off, if it’s not too dirty, or replace it. Replacements are cheap and readily available at any home improvement store and even most “big box” style stores.
4. Electrical problems
Now we’re getting into the more serious issues. If you know the problem isn’t in the ducts or the air filter, there’s the possibility of electrical issues. For example, mice or other critters might have gotten into the heater and started gnawing on the wires, causing sparks or shorts.
If it’s an electrical issue, you may be able to hear the sparking or smell ozone coming from the heater. Your house could also have brownouts or other more significant electrical problems in more severe cases.
If you suspect an electrical problem, do not attempt to fix it yourself. There’s a lot of current running through the furnace, and it’s genuinely dangerous for amateurs to work on. Shut down the furnace at the breaker box, if needed, and call for professional heater repairs in Salem immediately.
5. Mechanical problems
A heater has many moving parts, which should be properly lubricated and moving with minimum friction. However, if the lubrication has run out or parts have shifted, they can start rubbing against each other – producing heat and burning rubber or metal smells.
In this case, you’ll usually hear unusual sounds from inside the furnace, such as clanging, banging, or grinding. If your furnace ever gets noisy well beyond what it typically sounds like, that’s almost always a mechanical issue that needs professional care.
Don’t ignore the problem – it will almost certainly only get worse over time, and that means more expensive heater repairs when you do call for help.
6. Issues with portable heaters
If you’re using portable space heaters, most of the advice above applies. If you smell burning, the most likely causes are either contamination within the heater, electrical issues, or mechanical failure. These are often easier to detect with portable heaters since it’s smaller and the scents will be more concentrated.
However, also make sure to check the power source. Is the burning smell coming from the heater or the wall socket plugged into it? The power plug or power brick could also be the problem and will likely need to be replaced if so.
Melton’s Is Here to Keep Your Furnace Running Smoothly
Since 1966, we’ve been the go-to source for furnace repairs and heat pump repairs across the Willamette Valley. We’re proudly family-owned, with a team of experts who’ve been with the company for years. No matter how new or old your furnace is, we have the tools and skills to keep it running properly!
If you think you smell something burning around your furnace or heater, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Contact Melton’s for great furnace repair in Salem or Keizer, OR, area.
Is it time for a new air conditioning installation? If so, spring is the perfect time to do it!
Of course, you can call for air conditioning services in Salem, OR, year-round – but that doesn’t mean every time is the best time. If you want the fastest response and ensure that your A/C is ready for the coming summer, spring is the best time to call for an installation.
Why Smart Homeowners Install Their Air Conditioner In The Spring
✔ Lower demand
The big reason to have your air conditioning installed in the spring is that it’s not so busy. Once summer hits and the temperatures go up, people start discovering issues with their A/C system and call for help. Air conditioning service companies in Salem and Keizer are typically swamped, especially in July and August. The busy season can mean delays in getting a service appointment and potentially higher work prices.
People typically aren’t thinking much about their A/C in the spring, so demand is much lower. You’ll have a faster, easier, and possibly cheaper time having the installation done.
✔ Ensure you’re ready for the summer
If you think your A/C system is on its last legs or has become so inefficient that it’s wasting money, why wait for the heat? Doing the repairs or installation sooner means you can go into the summer knowing that your home will be comfortable for the rest of the year.
✔ Reduce your allergy problems
Another benefit provided by modern air conditioning systems is better air filtering, which you may not have on your current model. This can save you a lot of pain in the spring if you suffer from allergies. Air filtering and treatment systems will remove a lot of the pollen circulating in your home, significantly reducing your discomfort.
Melton’s Heating and Air Conditioning Provides the Best in Salem – Keizer area Air Conditioning Services
Since 1966, Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning has been the go-to source for home climate control in Salem, Keizer, and across the Willamette Valley. Whether you just need a tune-up, repairs, or a brand-new air conditioner, we’re always here to help.
Don’t risk getting stuck in a sweltering summer home with no A/C. If you know your air conditioning needs service, contact us today to get the work done quickly
By investing in the right heating system, you can heat your home effectively and efficiently and minimize breakdowns and repairs. However, it isn’t always easy to determine what type of heating system is best for your home. That’s why the professionals from Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning have condensed all you need to know about finding and buying the perfect heating system for you in this detailed blog.
1)What is the ‘Right’ Heating System?
The first step to selecting the ‘right’ heating system is understanding what the term means. Each home has unique needs and requirements. To find your ideal match, you need to consider several important factors like the size and location of your house, budget, stance on sustainability, etc. A correlation of these elements will help you find your perfect heating system in no time!
2) Finding Your Ideal Heating System
Let us take a look at how these factors affect your heating system choice:
Weather Conditions: The climatic conditions of a given area have a significant impact on the kind of heating system you need. In areas with extremely cold weather conditions, furnace sales are usually higher because they are more effective in such weather. Conversely, for moderate climates, a new heat pump is a good choice.
Room-Based Heating: If different rooms of your house have different heating requirements, you should invest in a mini split heating system.
AFUE Rating: A good metric to judge a given heating system is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) Rate. As the name suggests, the AFUE rate highlights the efficiency of a heating system. This percentage-based rate tells you the fraction of energy consumed by your heating system that is utilized in the heating process. Thus, a high AFUE rating is a good sign.
Energy Resources: Most people go for electricity-based heating systems. However, for those that are more environmentally conscious, natural gas may be a better choice. But not all houses are natural-gas compatible so this might not be a feasible option for everyone. To confirm if your home falls in this category or not you can check with your local natural gas company.
3) Benefits of Having an Efficient Heating System
It’s important to get a heating system that provides efficient and economic heating solutions. Spending some extra time and effort at this step can actually save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run in the form of lower energy bills, better performance, and the extended lifespan of the system you choose.
4) Popular Types of Heating Systems
Furnaces
Furnaces are arguably the most efficient and popular heating systems. They work by heating the air through a component called a heat exchanger. Once the air is warmed, a network of air vents and blowers are used to distribute it throughout your house. Every time the winter season rolls in, one can notice a spike in furnace sales, and for all the right reasons. Apart from being a highly reliable source of heat with a great AFUE rating, furnaces are also much more affordable compared to other alternatives.
However, one thing to note before buying a new furnace is that these machines are usually quite noisy. So, if this is a deal breaker for you, you may want to reconsider your choice.
Heat Pumps
A heat pump is a dual-purpose system that serves both heating and cooling functions. It follows a simple method of heating (or cooling) that involves collecting air from the outside and heating or cooling it before pumping it indoors. People hail heat pumps for providing high-quality, filtered air and being virtually noise-free. If you favor these benefits over other factors, a new heat pump might be the best choice for you.
Boilers
Boilers work by heating water in a tank and using the warmth generated to heat up your house. The method involves pumping the hot water to individual radiators through a network of pipes, which then circulate the heat throughout your home. Boilers are popular because of their generally high AFUE ratings. They are available in electric and natural gas energy options and suit most households. As for the downsides, boilers are a relatively pricier heating option that demands significant storage space as well.
Buy Top Mini Split Heating Systems Near You
Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning offers top-quality heating and cooling solutions near you. We provide sturdy HVAC systems and reliable repair and maintenance services. Enjoy amazing deals and offers on Mini Split Heating Systems. Contact us today!
