When it comes to heating in Bethesda, MD, you can’t take chances. Our cold winters make reliable furnaces an absolute necessity, and with our hot, humid summers, we may not even be aware of a problem until we turn on our heaters at the beginning of the cool season. You need to be aware of the signs of problems before they become a major issue. That way, you can arrange for a timely repair service before the first cold front moves in. Take for example, the question of unfamiliar odors and your heating. What do those odors mean, exactly? In general terms, look for the following:
- Burning or smoke. When individual components start to wear out, they may work too hard to keep your home heated and start to overheat. The burning smell is likely caused by one of these components. Turn off your heater immediately and contact a service repair representative.
- An electrical smell. This goes hand-in-hand with the burning smell, but probably contains the whiff of ozone or a similar discharge. It can help pinpoint the source of the trouble, which is likely electrical in nature and stems from a short circuit somewhere in the heating system. The procedure is the same, however: shut off the heater, and turn off the breaker powering it if possible, then call a trained electrician to help.
- Dusty smell. A dusty smell is far less dire than other smells, especially if you’re turning your heater on for the first time in a while. It’s simply accumulated dust in the system, being blown up or burned when the components start. You can avoid that smell by scheduling a routine maintenance visit before operating your heater.
Whatever the cause, there’s no reason to take a chance with unfamiliar smells and your heating. If you live in Bethesda, MD and need heating service, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today at 301-670-0034!