Central Heat Question

[Kori Ellis]

We turned on our heater (we have central air and heat) for the first time in a long while just a few days ago. After a few minutes, there was a burning smell throughout the house, so we turned it off.

Yesterday and the day before, we used it again for short periods and there was no smell. But tonight when we turned it on, the burning smell came back and the red emergency light was on the thermostat.

I read around the internet and it says this:


A burning smell coming from a heat pump when it is first run at the beginning of the heating season is usually normal. It happens when the heat strips first come on and they burn off the dust that has built up on them during the cooling season. You may notice the smell several times during the first few days of heating.

What do you think? Is it normal or is something broken?

Thanks in advance for all the legit responses. I'm hoping one of you is an AC/Heat specialist.

[mouse]

If you open the door and see a blue flame your ok. yellow or Amber is Co2 poisoning. Trust me, you guys never change the air filter, The last guy charged you 140.00 I saw the service tag inside your unit last time I was at your house. The AC guys are like plumbers and the geek squad they will fuck you w/o the KY jelly although I prefer syrup. it's just dust and dog hair!.


Smoke a joint and you won't notice it. You won't smell it after Thursday if you keep it at 69 degrees.

[Kori Ellis]

If you open the door and see a blue flame your ok. Trust me you guys never change the filter, it's dust and dog hair!. :lmao


Smoke a joint and you won't notice it. You won't smell it after Thursday if you keep it at 69 degrees.

:lol @ the filter. LJ just changed it a few weeks ago.

LJ keeps the air conditioning on 64 degrees. So we only turn on the heat when it's colder than 60 :lol

[mouse]

:lol @ the filter. LJ just changed it a few weeks ago.

LJ keeps the air conditioning on 64 degrees. So we only turn on the heat when it's colder than 60 :lol

There is lint inside the heating element let it burn off. Don't forget all the dust in the air ducts!

Why don't you buy a house with a fire place so you can cuddle with LJ?
:wakeup

[Kori Ellis]

There is lint inside the heating element let it burn off. Don't forget all the dust in the air ducts!

Okay, so if I leave it on, then there's not going to be a fire or anything?

[Kori Ellis]

Why don't you buy a house with a fire place so you can cuddle with LJ?
:wakeup

I'm waiting for houses to be as cheap as possible :lol, then we will buy and move.

[Slydragon]

Seems to me if something goes wrong mouse is responsible.

[Shaolin-Style]

Our central air hasn't been on heat for a long time, we cut it on the other week and it did smell a little burny but it dissipated pretty quick. Works fine.

Usually is that way whenever we haven't used it in a while. I'm no specialist though, just similar situation.

We don't have any emergency lights or anything on our thermostat thingy though, lol.

[mouse]

Okay, so if I leave it on, then there's not going to be a fire or anything?

The only fire you should feel tonight is the love of LJ's flaming fire as it burns it's love for you! :tu

But the smell will remind you of Dexter. :lmao

[mouse]

Seems to me if something goes wrong mouse is responsible.

Then send me the bill on your life.

[balli]

Seems to me if something goes wrong mouse is responsible.

Speaking of which, I gave Bottomtooth a guide to re-installing his Windows the other day and I haven't seen or heard from him since. Hopefully he's just busy with school.

[jcrod]

Yes i get the burnig smell when I haven't turned the heat on in awhile.

But i don't know about the red emergency light.

[DannyT]

Speaking of which, I gave Bottomtooth a guide to re-installing his Windows the other day and I haven't seen or heard from him since. Hopefully he's just busy with school.

god damn.....:tu

[RandomGuy]

I'm waiting for houses to be as cheap as possible :lol, then we will buy and move.

I hear houses are freaking cheaper than s*** in Las Vegas these days.

[RandomGuy]

We turned on our heater (we have central air and heat) for the first time in a long while just a few days ago. After a few minutes, there was a burning smell throughout the house, so we turned it off.

Yesterday and the day before, we used it again for short periods and there was no smell. But tonight when we turned it on, the burning smell came back and the red emergency light was on the thermostat.

I read around the internet and it says this:



What do you think? Is it normal or is something broken?

Thanks in advance for all the legit responses. I'm hoping one of you is an AC/Heat specialist.

Hmm.
The other posters are correct in that first time you turn on the heat after a long while the heating elements will burn off the coat of dust that accumulates. Don't worry it is just mostly composed of the flakes of human skin that you and hubby, and all humans for that matter, constantly shed. It is icky, but it won't hurt you.

If smell was different when the emergency light came on, that would indicate something was genuinely wrong and/or broken. The smell of something going wrong with your heater would most likely be ozone or wiring burning off, and that smells very different than the burning dust.

I assume that the heating unit in your house is electrical, as most heating elements are in warmer states, to my understanding.

What type of unit is your heater? Gas? Electric? Other?

My parents old house waaay up in Wyoming used a hot water circulating system. A gas fired boiler in the basement would heat water, and then a circulating pump would circulate water throughout the house in the floors and walls for radiant heat. It was neato.

Note: RG and his wife run a small apartment complex with college students who ask this question every winter

[Taco]

We turned on our heater (we have central air and heat) for the first time in a long while just a few days ago. After a few minutes, there was a burning smell throughout the house, so we turned it off.

Yesterday and the day before, we used it again for short periods and there was no smell. But tonight when we turned it on, the burning smell came back and the red emergency light was on the thermostat.

I read around the internet and it says this:



What do you think? Is it normal or is something broken?

Thanks in advance for all the legit responses. I'm hoping one of you is an AC/Heat specialist.

Just Dust on the coils

what I always do is before it get's real cold I turn the heater on with all my windows open, the burning dust smell usually sets off the smoke detectors but then you're good to go

The Red / Blue light came on because it got REALLY cold and your inside house temp fell quickly, that's the AUX heat kicking on to try to get the house temp back in range once the temp even's out the light should turn off. No biggie

[RandomGuy]

Just Dust on the coils

what I always do is before it get's real cold I turn the heater on with all my windows open, the burning dust smell usually sets off the smoke detectors but then you're good to go

The Red / Blue light came on because it got REALLY cold and your inside house temp fell quickly, that's the AUX heat kicking on to try to get the house temp back in range once the temp even's out the light should turn off. No biggie

Something that I did not know when I woke up this morning. Very cool, and thanks.

(the older apartment units that RG manages do not have such lights)

[Taco]

Just Dust on the coils

what I always do is before it get's real cold I turn the heater on with all my windows open, the burning dust smell usually sets off the smoke detectors but then you're good to go

The Red / Blue light came on because it got REALLY cold and your inside house temp fell quickly, that's the AUX heat kicking on to try to get the house temp back in range once the temp even's out the light should turn off. No biggie


Something that I did not know when I woke up this morning. Very cool, and thanks.

(the older apartment units that RG manages do not have such lights)

now keep in mind this is assuming your central heat is NOT Gas. I believe Kori & LJ's house is all electric like mine

[Dr. Gonzo]

If you open the door and see a blue flame your ok. yellow or Amber is Co2 poisoning. Trust me, you guys never change the air filter, The last guy charged you 140.00 I saw the service tag inside your unit last time I was at your house. The AC guys are like plumbers and the geek squad they will fuck you w/o the KY jelly although I prefer syrup. it's just dust and dog hair!.


Smoke a joint and you won't notice it. You won't smell it after Thursday if you keep it at 69 degrees.

Dude, is this true? At my old house the flames were really high and always yellow. I never died but that house had terrible windows so there was always a draft somewhere so I guess if there was CO2 in my house it wsa diluted with all the outside air that would come in.

[Taco]

Dude, is this true? At my old house the flames were really high and always yellow. I never died but that house had terrible windows so there was always a draft somewhere so I guess if there was CO2 in my house it wsa diluted with all the outside air that would come in.


http://www.cpsenergy.com/Services/Education/Safety/SVR_Carbon_Monoxide_Poisoning.asp

A natural gas appliance getting adequate oxygen and adjusted properly will have a blue pilot or burner flame.

A yellow or orange flame may indicate a problem and should be checked by a qualified technician.
Soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances
Pilot lights that frequently blow out Increased condensation inside windows

[katyon6th]

When I turned mine on for the first time, it smelled too. So, I called my mom. She said as long as I'm warm and I don't see fire, I'm okay.

[Taco]

When I turned mine on for the first time, it smelled too. So, I called my mom. She said as long as I'm warm and I don't see fire, I'm okay.


Don't ever Doubt Mom!! :lol

[ploto]

I have a gas heater and a gas water heater, so I have a carbon monoxide detector. You should have one if anything you have is gas.

[Taco]

it's gonna get down to 29 tonight

[ploto]

it's gonna get down to 29 tonight

Tonight may be the night I finally have to use my heater! I can not stand to run the heater and so I just use a bunch of quilts and blankets.

[SpursWoman]

Tonight may be the night I finally have to use my heater! I can not stand to run the heater and so I just use a bunch of quilts and blankets.

I finally had to cave and turn ours on last night ... I wouldn't have bothered if it were just me because I love it when it's cold. But icicles hanging off of my kids' ears makes me feel like I'm not being the best mom I can be. :oops :lol

[Salad Tosser]

Any updates Kori?

[Sunshine]

I hope they're not lying unconscious in the house.

[ShoogarBear]

Speaking of which, I gave Bottomtooth a guide to re-installing his Windows the other day and I haven't seen or heard from him since. Hopefully he's just busy with school.

:lol

[Kori Ellis]

Any updates Kori?

We didn't turn it back on today. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone for chiming in. Our system is electric. I'm guessing it's just dusty burning off like you guys said.

I'll let you all know how it goes. :downspin:

[SAGambler]

now keep in mind this is assuming your central heat is NOT Gas. I believe Kori & LJ's house is all electric like mine

Last time I noticed HEAT PUMPS don't use gas.

[ploto]

Last time I noticed HEAT PUMPS don't use gas.

I am confused by this statement. Not everyone has a heat pump.

[ShoogarBear]

I woke up this morning to an odd burning smell and sensation . . . it was the electric blanket searing my flesh.