Why Does Heater Smell like Burning Plastic or Wood when First Turned On in Desert Shores, NV?

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As the temperatures begin to drop in the Vegas Valley, people are flirting with the idea to use some heat, or we will be recognizing that relying on our heating systems is not too far off. More often than not, the locals will often smell a burning smell when they first activate their heat for the start of the season. This is often perfectly normal as the heat strip engages, the accumulation of dust will burn off with the reaction of the heat coils. Typically, the smell only lasts a day or two. However, there is a bit more to elaborate on that we at Air Supply Heating and Air Conditioning would like to share today.

Causes of Heater Smells When Turned on for First Time

It is not uncommon for the locals in the Vegas Valley to notice a burning smell when they turn on the heat for the first time in the season. Like we mentioned before, it is likely dust burning off the surface, but it is good to know the possibilities of other potential sources that is producing odors.
Dust in your HVAC system. It is not unheard of for heating systems can go unused for many months in the Vegas desert. Some elements of your heating system may have accumulated a layer of dust after sitting idle during our long stretches of warm weather. The dust will burn off and emit an odor that circulates through your ductwork and into your home when you turn on your heat for the first time during the fall/winter season. The air ducts themselves may also have some dirt and dust that has settled in them. These are the most likely sources of the burning smell you endure at the start of the heating system.
Activating your heat strips. You may notice this burning odor if temperatures are especially low or if you’ve adjusted your thermostat more than a few degrees to raise the temperature when you are well into the winter months and the system has been used. To supplement your system’s attempt to increase the heat, the heat strips in your air handler comes on. In the heat strip-air handler combination is fairly common. The heat strips can have dust settle on them as well, which will cause them to burn off when the heat is flipped on.
Other possible causes. The culprit may be faulty heater components in the event you continue to notice a burning smell coming from your heating system beyond your initial use. Debris or objects making contact with the parts of your system that produce your heat might be another cause. The potential to melt wires or insulators is a more serious problem is electrical shorts in your heat pump.

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If you continue to smell the burning odors, contact a professional. Additionally, if you invest in a tune-up service, much of the dust can be removed during the service, preventing the smell to even occur. Call Air Supply Heating and Air Conditioning today if you still need to schedule your seasonal tune-up or if you smell any burning odors after a day or two.