Why Your Heater or AC Smells Like It's Burning

Cool Talk with Hartzell's | Your HVAC Questions, Answered! · Jul 21, 2026 · 14m · transcript

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Why does my furnace or AC smell like burning? I walk you through the whole range, from harmless to urgent. That dusty smell the first time you run the heat in fall is usually just dust burning off the furnace, and it clears on its own. But a sharp electrical, hot plastic, fishy, or burning rubber smell is different, and any smoke means shut it off at the thermostat and breaker and call a pro. And a rotten egg gas smell is not a burning issue at all: get out and call the gas company or 911. Call 405-375-4822 or book at hartzellsheatair.com. More episodes…