Eww What’s that Smell? Household Smells & What They Mean

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Eww What’s that Smell? Household Smells & What They Mean

No one knows exactly when it will happen, but it’s inevitable. Autumn is here and one day soon you will wake up and there will be frost on the ground and a nip in the air. You shiver as you get out of bed and quickly head for the thermostat. Moments after you turn the switch to heat and set the temperature to 72 degrees, you start sniffing the air. What in the world is that burning smell? Is there something wrong with your furnace?

Your Chicagoland furnace experts at Merts Heating & Air Conditioning want you to know that in practically every case, your furnace is fine. During the off-season, dust gathers on your furnace components. When you turn it on for the first time the heat actually burns that dust, creating the odor which is a common furnace smell. It should disappear after the first few times the furnace kicks in. Consider it a really good reminder to call Merts to schedule your annual heating system maintenance if you haven’t done it already.

That burning smell is just one of the many smells that can be present in a house and some of the others can be more problematic. They can be unpleasant and even be an indication of unhealthy indoor air quality in your home. Things like dust and mold can quickly cause problems for people with asthma or allergies.

Some of these smells can be more difficult to track down than the dust on the furnace. For example, we get asked all the time, “What does mold smell like?” The best description is an earthy or musty smell that most people describe as unpleasant. The mold can be present in your ventilation system.

There are several methods the experts at Merts can use to get to the source of the unpleasant odors in  your home:

  • Air cleaners & filters
    • Generally, they trap particles in the air. Most furnace filters provide a bare minimum of filtration. Merts carries several products that are much more effective.
  • Air purifiers
    • These products do more than just trap particles. They can also neutralize certain chemicals and make the air in your house more sanitary.
  • Ultraviolet lights
    • UV Lights can certainly be considered a type of air purifier, but are specifically designed to kill bacteria and viruses. They are used in conjunction with a filtration system because the lights don’t trap particulates.
  • Humidity control
    • Proper humidity levels are key to creating the best indoor air quality. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can go a long way toward making your home healthier and more comfortable.

While we have been talking about smelly things in the home, please don’t forget about an odorless killer. Carbon monoxide should always be at the top of the list when it comes to indoor air quality concerns. Our Merts experts will test for the presence of CO during your annual furnace maintenance and tune-up.

When that first frosty morning arrives, don’t worry about that burning smell. Only in the rarest of circumstances is it a sign of a problem. But in the case of other household smells, it may be wise to call Merts Heating & Air Conditioning today to talk about ways to get rid of dust and other things that may be causing those smells, and make your home healthier. Be sure to like and follow us on our Facebook page to get even more important information.