With the winter months fast approaching, the need for a furnace is greater than ever. This is why it’s so important to be vigilant for warning signs that your furnace may not be functioning properly. Here are some tips to ensure you stay warm in Martinsburg, WV.
Harmless Smells
You may smell strange odors coming from the furnace that are harmless, but this does not mean you should ignore them. Many times, dust is the cause of the odor, especially if the furnace is in a basement, or there might be a “dirty sock” smell that can indicate bacteria buildup. These smells should go away quickly upon ignition of the furnace, but if they remain, a professional can clean the area during regular maintenance.
Harmful Smells
If a furnace has the smell of heating oil emanating from it, this means there is a leak coming from somewhere on the furnace. This can be a very dangerous situation, so you should call a professional furnace repair company immediately. If there is a chemical smell coming from the furnace, this likely means that the heat exchanger is faulty, which can lead to a fire or explosion.
Solutions
If the harmless smells dissipate within a day or two, there is nothing else you need to do. However, if the smells do not go away, call a professional for a thorough furnace cleaning. If the smells are of the harmful variety, call a furnace repair company immediately in case evacuation is necessary.
Instead of relying on guesswork or trying to play “furnace detective,” you’ll want to trust the professionals. Give Griffith Energy Services a call, and we’ll perform an inspection on the furnace and let you know if it needs repair or replacement. This way, you can rest easy when the cooler weather hits Martinsburg, WV.
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