Do New Water Heaters Smell?

Is it normal for a hot water heater to smell like gas? The short answer is, “No.” Here’s the long answer: Natural gas is odorless. The chemical mercaptan is added to natural gas to better detect when a leak is occurring.

Is it normal for heater to smell first?

Generally, it’s completely normal that a heater has a burning smell when first turned on, and you don’t need to worry! In most cases, this odor dissipates in an hour or so. As long as the smell of burning doesn’t continue for more than a day, this odor is just a normal occurrence.

Why does my new hot water heater smell like rotten eggs?

What Causes it? The rotten egg smell is because your water contains traces of hydrogen sulfide. Even extremely small amounts can make your water smell badly. In most, but not all, cases there is a buildup of hydrogen sulfide in your water heater (more about that later).

How do I get rid of the new heater smell?

Brush the intake vents with a soft, old toothbrush to remove any excess dust and dirt. After the initial scent wears off from a new heater, the most common cause of odors is dust. Next, clean the ceramic heater, including the intake vents, with a vacuum outfitted with an upholstery bristle.

Why does my hot water heater smell like burning plastic?

Faulty Wiring
Electrical water heaters are susceptible to shorts. Occasionally, loose wires come in contact, generating heat. If your water heater is suffering from such an issue, you may notice the smell of a burning wire. If the wire’s insulation begins to melt, it might smell like burning plastic.

Why does my heat smell funny?

What does it mean? If you smell a dusty or burning smell the first few times you turn on your heat, it’s most likely dust and dirt that’s settled on components inside your heating system throughout the summer. As you fire up the heat, those dust particles burn away, producing a weird burnt/dusty smell.

How long do new furnaces smell?

1. Burning dust smell. A burning dust smell may emanate from the furnace once you start the furnace at the beginning of the winter season. This smell is completely normal and should go away within several days.

Why does my hot water heater smell?

The most common odor problem from water heaters is a rotten egg smell that comes out of your faucets and fixtures when running water. This smell is typically caused by sulfate bacteria that can develop within the tank.The soft water breaks down the magnesium and creates sulfate gas within the water heater.

Is it normal to smell some gas from hot water heater?

Is it normal for a hot water heater to smell like gas? The short answer is, “No.”If you smell sulfur or what some may describe as “rotten eggs,” this may be a sign of a gas leak, which indicates there may be a problem with your water heater or other HVAC equipment in your home.

Can you shower in water that smells like rotten eggs?

A rotten egg odor is a sign that the sulfur levels in your water may be too high.It’s understandable if you don’t want to drink or bathe in foul-smelling water, nor should you have to. Good, clean water is free of taste or odors and doesn’t pose any risks to your health.

Why do new space heaters smell?

Accumulated dust burning is the very common odor you smell when turning your heater on for the first time in a long time.So once the heat comes on, the dust burns off and the odor passes through your air vents. The smell of burning dust should go away after a while, so there’s no cause for alarm.

Why does my house smell like melting plastic?

The smell of burning plastic could be a sign of an overheated household appliance, a kitchen accident, or a problem with the HVAC system. Heaters and furnaces may smell of burnt plastic when their parts are broken or worn out.Plastic-coated wires (that may have caused an electrical fault) The fan belt.

What does burning electrical smell like?

An electrical fire initially has a fairly acrid smell of plastic burning. The short could be in the outlet or in the wiring inside a wall and can be hard to locate. Experts say if you smell something electrical burning you are lucky – most warning signs of electrical fires are invisible and odourless.

What do I do if my hot water smells like burning plastic?

Also, if you smell something like rubber or plastic burning, this could be the insulative coating on the wires. Turn off the power source (flip the breaker to the hot water heater) before trying to pinpoint the smell. Call a licensed electrician, like Pronto, to find the precise source of the problem.

Why does my water smell like burnt rubber?

There Is a Burning Smell Coming from Your Water Heater
If the dust was burning every time the water heater turned on, this might just solve the problem. Burning smells can also be caused by electrical problems or melting wiring.Worn, old, or improperly installed insulation can cause a burning rubber or plastic smell.

Can an electric water heater explode?

While rare, residential water heater explosions do occur and can be deadly. Explosions are possible with both gas and electric tank water heaters, primarily those that are poorly maintained.

What does a bad heater smell like?

Heater smells like rotten eggs
If you have a gas furnace and notice a rotten egg or sulfuric smell, you may have a natural gas leak. Natural gas is odorless, so in order to make it detectable, a chemical called mercaptan is added. This chemical is responsible for that unpleasant smell.

Why does my house have a weird smell?

A musty or dusty smell is often a sign of mold or mildew, especially in humid or moisture-prone environments like the basement, laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom. Mold and mildew can create severe respiratory problems and can exacerbate allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals.

Why does my heater smell sour?

If you’re near your furnace and detect a smell that’s a bit on the sour side or that stings your nose, you have a pretty serious problem and should shut off your furnace and get it serviced pronto. The smell can indicate a failed heat exchanger, especially if you have a high-efficiency furnace.

Is new heater smell toxic?

In short, no. Not all furnace smells are dangerous—but they should be investigated. For example, the smell of burning dust that lasts just a few hours and doesn’t return later in the season is nothing to worry about. Whereas the smell of burning plastic or oil could indicate something very dangerous.

What does new furnace smell like?

It’s very normal that your furnace will have a funny smell the first time you turn it on. It can sometimes smell like burning, sometimes a little musty. Don’t get worried, it’s a very normal thing and happens in most homes.