Gas Furnace - Burnt smell like electrical wiring?

Question

Hello, since last Saturday, our furnace was producing some burnt smell. It is on occassional basis but it's been happening until today (2 days). It's on and off. Can you please advise what is the problem and suggest my next step.

Thanks

Answer 1

Please check your Gas Furnace when It pops on to watch & see if it is not the Heat Exchanger that is burning the electrical wires.It could cause your house to catch FIRE.Here is our experience ---We had gas furnace in the basement of house some years ago.On the afternoon the Gulf War started I was watching the tv when the reporter in the Hotel was showing pictures of & hearing the bombs going off in Bagdad.I thought my sence of smell was fooling me because I smelled an electrial burnt smell.I checked the basement because the smell was the strongest down their.It was so difficult because it seemed to go away,then I would smell it again. I took my son-inlaw,my husband both to see if they could figure it out.I thought it was because I was so interested in the sights from Bagdad & conecting the smell to what was being reported on the news.My husband finallywent with me down stairs again& as we were there the furnace came on & flames were shooting up the sides of the furnace over the electrical wires.We ran up & turn the thermostat down. Jan.17th1993 & such a cold spell we were having here in NV.Thank goodness we had a fireplace and some heaters to keep us for two week till the new furnace was put in.It was the heat exchanger forceing air down on the burners. Take care & I would like to know the out come of This. 2b4fun

Answer 2

It could be the build up of dust particles that are in your heating ducts. Sometimes after sitting all summer when you turn the furnace on it will have a burnt smell. Be careful though...keep an eye on it, you should have your furnace cleaned each year before you it.

And dont forget to change your filter each month!

Answer 3

I have seen dust bunnies that get sucked into the cold air return, so check out the ductwork. Use a mirror and a flashlight. If it's dusty, you have to vacuum it out.

Clean or replace the filter at least twice a year.

Answer 4

If you are smelling any thing burning call your local electrical contractor, heating contractor, and have it checked out.
You could be left without heat in your house or worse, an electrical fire. DON,T PUT IT OFF!!!

Answer 5

have a professional hvac mechanic look at it, gas appliances are not something to "guess" about. you are the one sleeping when its on.you may not wake up. carbon monoxide, risk of fire,etc...