ATAG
Overheating Electrical Component or Dust Burn-Off
Furnace emits a burning smell or plastic smell during operation
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Dust accumulation on heat exchanger or casing, Overheating pump or fan motor, Loose electrical connection causing arcing
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: If you smell burning plastic or see smoke, switch off power immediately and do not use the appliance until inspected.
- For a new or recently serviced furnace, a mild smell may be normal as oils and dust burn off; this should dissipate after a few hours of operation.
- Inspect the interior (power off) for signs of melted insulation, discoloured wiring, or scorched components.
- Check that the fan and pump are free to rotate and not overheating.
- Any persistent burning smell requires a professional inspection to locate and replace the overheating component.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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