Should I Be Concerned About My Furnace’s Oil Smell?

December 20, 2022

Furnace in Show Low, AZ

Plenty of homes in the Show Low area rely on oil-powered furnaces for heat during the cold months for a variety of reasons. One unique issue that may come about with an oil furnace, though, is an oil smell presenting itself in your home. This isn’t a common occurrence, but it’s one that warrants a look by a qualified heating technician. Here’s everything you need to know about why your home could smell like oil when your furnace turns on and what to do about it.

Why Does My House Smell Like Oil?

When your furnace operates, it shouldn’t produce any type of odor in your home. If it does, something’s wrong. When you smell oil in your home, it’s typically for one of the following reasons:

  • You’ve just had your fuel tank refilled
  • You’re using your furnace for the first time in months
  • A clogged furnace air filter
  • A damaged furnace burner
  • A damaged furnace heat exchanger
  • Your furnace’s exhaust system isn’t functioning as it should

Most of the time, any oil smell you notice when your furnace comes on will go away fairly quickly. If that’s what you’re noticing, you’re likely experiencing a transient issue like the first two situations on the list above. If the smell persists, however, you need to have your furnace examined by a professional heating technician.

Is the Oil Smell Dangerous?

The good news is that the oil smell in your home isn’t dangerous in and of itself. Except in high concentrations, heating oil fumes aren’t very toxic—just unpleasant. However, if you notice a persistent oil smell in your home, it’s in your best interests to find and fix the cause of the problem as soon as you can. Otherwise, what started as a minor inconvenience could turn into a full-blown heating emergency.

If you notice an oil smell in your home when your furnace turns on, don’t wait. A single call to Rim Country Mechanical, Inc. is all it takes to get the help you need. We offer complete furnace maintenance and furnace repair services, as well as a variety of other HVAC, refrigeration, and indoor air quality services, too. So contact Rim Country Mechanical, Inc. to schedule a furnace repair appointment as soon as you detect a lingering oil smell in your home, and we’ll get to the bottom of your problem fast.