When the outside temperature drops and you turn on the furnace, you might expect to hear it come on, then a low hum while the blower circulates warm air throughout your Richmond Hill, Georgia, home. You don’t expect it to produce any odors, though. So you might be asking, “Why do I smell oil when my furnace comes on?”
If you have an oil furnace and notice an odor during heating system operation, it doesn’t always mean there is a serious problem that requires professional attention. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore unusual smells. An ongoing oil smell from heating appliances is a sign to call a heating technician to investigate and identify the source of the scent.
Georgia Air Cooling & Heating, the source for the most reliable furnace repair in Richmond Hill and the surrounding area, is here to help you keep your home comfortable. This guide to identifying furnace odors and what they mean will help you understand why you might smell oil when you turn the heat on and when you should call a professional for help.
The Five Most Common Furnace Oil Smell Causes in Richmond Hill
If you’re smelling oil when the furnace runs, it’s most likely due to one of the following reasons:
1. A Recent Oil Delivery
If the oil company recently filled the oil tank at your Richmond Hill, Georgia, home, you could smell oil for up to a few days afterward. Usually, the smell goes away fairly quickly, but if it doesn’t, it’s possible some oil spilled out during the delivery. Cleaning up the mess with some absorbent towels should eliminate the issue.
2. It’s the First Time You’re Using the Furnace This Season
It’s quite common for a furnace to produce unusual odors the first time you turn it on for heating season. In addition to oil, you might notice a slight burning aroma due to dust buildup. These odors are normal and should dissipate within a few hours.
3. Dirty Air Filter
Many heating system issues come back to the air filter, and an oil smell is one of them. If you wonder, “Why do I smell oil when my furnace comes on?” consider whether you changed the air filter before turning up the heat. A dirty or blocked air filter can cause an oil smell, so if it continues after a few hours of running the furnace, change the filter.
4. Dirty Oil Burners
If you turn on the heating system and oil scent fills your home, it could be due to dirty burners in the furnace. A buildup of dust and other debris on the burner can prevent it from working properly, resulting in the odor of oil or burning rubber. Over time, the problem could result in a fire or a mechanical problem with the furnace, but it’s avoidable with regular furnace maintenance to clean the burners,
5. Furnace Malfunctions
If you notice an odor during heating system operation that starts suddenly or doesn’t go away within a short time, there’s most likely a problem with the furnace itself. Some of the issues that could cause an oil smell include:
- An oil leak
- Cracked heat exchanger
- Exhaust system failure
- Improper combustion
- Cracked oil burner
At this point, the only way to determine what’s wrong with your furnace is to have a professional HVAC technician inspect it.
Are Oil Fumes Dangerous?
Homeowners often express concern about whether smelling oil when the furnace runs is dangerous to humans and pets. While long-term exposure to fumes from any type of heating fuel can lead to health concerns, if your furnace smells like oil for a short time, your family won’t suffer any ongoing adverse effects. At worst, breathing in the oil smell can cause nausea and headaches, which typically go away once the odor dissipates.
In fact, breathing in the smell of oil is significantly less detrimental to your health than natural gas. Heating oil is also stable, so you don’t need to worry about explosions if you notice a smell, unlike gas. If you have gas heat and notice a smell, it’s an emergency, and you should leave your home immediately and get to a safe place before calling 911.
When the oil smell lasts longer than a few hours, turn off the heat and call a technician for help. The longer the odor lasts, the more likely it is that the furnace has a mechanical problem that requires repairs.
Other Furnace Odors That Require Professional Attention
While you should expect to smell heating oil for a little while when you turn on the furnace, there are other smells that can come from the heater that aren’t normal and require professional attention.
Burning Wire Smells
The smell of burning plastic or an electrical burning scent is often a sign that the furnace is overheating. You might notice the smell along with short cycling, meaning the furnace turns on and off repeatedly without completing a heating cycle. This function is the appliance’s way of protecting itself from a breakdown.
If you suspect the furnace is overheating, turn it off and let it cool down for a few hours. Sometimes, this will solve the problem. Check the air filter as well, since poor airflow is the most common reason for furnace overheating.
If the air filter is clear, a malfunctioning thermostat or a mechanical issue inside the furnace is the most likely reason for the burning smell and overheating. You need a professional to investigate and determine the solution at this point.
Mechanical Smells
When the mechanical components inside the furnace break down, they can produce a metallic odor or a smell similar to burning wires. You might also hear strange noises, like banging or grinding. Chances are these issues will cause the unit to turn off automatically to prevent overheating or a fire.
When this happens, you need a professional to identify and replace the broken parts.
Smoke Smells
While the most likely reason your furnace produces a burning or smokey smell when it’s running is an accumulation of dust on the blower motor, it can also be a sign of an issue with the furnace exhaust system. Running the furnace at the same time as the fireplace or an exhaust fan can create a backdraft that pulls exhaust gases from the heater into your home.
A smokey odor inside your Richmond Hill, Georgia, home can also indicate a blocked chimney. Debris buildup inside the chimney prevents harmful gases from exiting your home, which can create an unpleasant smell. It can also cause a buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide.
Schedule Professional Maintenance to Prevent Oil Smells When Running Your Furnace
The best way to never ask, “Why do I smell oil when my furnace comes on?” is to arrange for professional furnace maintenance with a qualified HVAC professional. During a furnace tuneup — which should take place at least once a year before the heating season begins — the technician will follow a checklist to ensure all the mechanical components are working correctly.
This service includes tasks like:
- Cleaning and testing the burners
- Inspecting and testing the exhaust system
- Changing the air filter
- Cleaning and inspecting the blowers
- Checking the oil line connections
- Inspecting the heat exchanger
- Inspecting and lubricating moving parts
Performing these critical maintenance tasks before turning on the heater for the first time eliminates many of the issues that could cause an oil smell. They also help ensure problem-free operation throughout the season so your family stays toasty warm and comfortable on even the chilliest Georgia days.
Don’t Forget to Change the Air Filter
Although HVAC technicians will change the furnace air filter during an annual maintenance appointment, the filters only last a few months before requiring replacement. In most cases, the furnace needs a fresh filter every two to three months. Not changing the filter can contribute to a long list of issues beyond unpleasant smells, including inconvenient breakdowns, so don’t overlook this essential maintenance task.
Let Georgia Air Cooling & Heating Help with Furnace Issues in Richmond Hill
If you need help identifying furnace oil odors, the NATE-certified technicians from Georgia Air Cooling & Heating are standing by to help. From preventive maintenance inspections and tune-ups to prompt repairs when you have a problem that’s leaving your family in the cold, we have the skills and experience to get to the bottom of even the most complex heating system problems. We understand that a strange smell from your furnace can be alarming, so don’t hesitate to call if you need to know, “Why do I smell oil when my furnace comes on?” You can reach Georgia Air Cooling & Heating at (912) 513-3361 or make an appointment online for one of our technicians to visit and get to the root of your issue. With our expertise in common furnace problems and reputation for being the most affordable and attentive HVAC experts in the Richmond Hill, Georgia, area, you can trust us to solve your problem quickly.