As anyone who has ever turned on the heat for the first time in the fall can attest to, it can sometimes smell like the house is on fire. But have you ever wondered where that smell comes from? As you turn your thermostat from cool to heat, these are some things that you should know! Before you crank up your furnace, these are the things you need to do to prepare your Charleston heating and air system.
Call a Professional
It is always recommended that you call a professional HVAC technician before you turn your heat on. Although you can change your air filters on your own and clean any debris that might be lingering, there are maintenance issues that only a professional can address. Remember, your system has been sitting idle for an entire season, which is plenty of time for dust and dirt to accumulate. And that is also plenty of months for problems to surface that you can’t see.
If Fall Snuck up on you
When life gets hectic, the last thing on your to-do list is probably your HVAC maintenance. And if the cold air snuck up on you, now is the time to schedule your appointment. In the interim, however, expect that when you turn the heat on, there will be a burning smell coming from your vents. There is no reason to be alarmed if that happens.
The majority of the time, that smell is not a sign of danger. After sitting all summer long, a lot of household dust and dirt has likely settled on your furnace. That debris will start to burn off and create a noxious smell. Although it is normal the first time you turn on your heat, if it lingers past the first time, then it could be a sign that something is wrong. And you should definitely be concerned and call a professional to ensure that nothing hazardous is lurking.
Why Scheduling Maintenance is Important
Although, in most cases, the burning smell of the first time you turn on your heater is nothing more than dirt and debris burning off from the summer months, getting your HVAC maintained regularly is still critical. Even if the heater doesn’t smell past day one of turning it on, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other things gone awry. Not only will a technician be able to clean your furnace to help it work more efficiently, but they can also diagnose and spot signs of a problem before it becomes problematic. Operating under the guise that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it will most likely lead to an emergency call for something neglected.
Now that the hot summer weather has given way to a nighttime chill, it might be time to fire up your heat. If possible, have your furnace maintained after the long summer. But if you didn’t get a chance, don’t be alarmed by the first heat smell. If it continues, make sure to call a professional. And if it doesn’t continue, make sure you call a professional.
The only way to ensure that everything is in top working order is to have your system regularly maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Contact Carney & Son today to schedule your fall Charleston heating and air maintenance.