Now that the weather is changing, our thoughts are turning to the upcoming holiday season. Pumpkin patches are dotting our neighborhoods, and maybe some of us are thinking ahead to the recipes we’ll need in just a few weeks at Thanksgiving! Ah, the aromas of roasting turkey, gravies and rolls and pies… but there’s that other smell… It’s so strong! It’s coming from the vents!
If you turn your heater on and you suddenly smell an unpleasant odor, don’t be alarmed. Over the year, since you’re using your air conditioner almost exclusively, dust, pollen, pet hair and dander and other particles may build up on your heating coil while it’s not being used. When you first turn your heater on to combat the chill in the air, this material burns off, causing that odor. Within a few minutes, you’ll notice the smell lessens, so just allow the heater to run normally, perhaps open a window or two briefly to clear the air, and then things will get back to normal.