SunStar. Propane heat, ?smell?

[J32952]

Newbie here.  Bone chilling in Florida last night..like 29 degrees..about midnight noticed was getting cold and expected the gas heat to kick on.  It did.  First thing I note is the variation, tolerance, in temp was much greater than with heat pump (electric). Electric kicks in when temp drops maybe 2 degree below target..gas was like 5 or 6 degrees.  2nd, there is a smell, can?t really describe, with the gas heat. My first thought, even home heat smells when we first use, but this continued whole night.  3rd, we love floor being warm between the floor vents.
  Ok, is a smell, no it doesn?t smell like propane, normal?  Next question: who left the damn door open up north and let this cold in? 

 

[John Canfield]

Our propane furnace wasn't used that much but I don't recall any objectionable smell. Is the furnace on a separate thermostat?  (Cold front blowing in tomorrow, wind gusts 40 to 50 mph in forecast, oh and 50% chance of rain and snow.)

 

[Back2PA]

As long as you're certain it isn't a propane smell, it's probably just the dust burning out, should go away

 

[PancakeBill]

Especially if it has not been used in long time,  First day running it should burn off.

 

[sightseers]

We open up all the windows the first time we fire up the furnace every winter.

It burns off all the dust and then the air quits smelling so musty.

(Side note---rather amusing to watch the cat freak out the first time it comes on..... every year.  )  )

 

[J32952]

Thanks for responses. 

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

It's possible there is a dead small animal in a duct, or maybe just his wastes. That kind of aroma can linger for ages, and isn't necessarily strong (because of dehydration).

It's almost impossible to get a propane smell (mercaptan) from a malfunctioning furnace, but you might get an exhaust gas smell if a hole has burned thru the heat chamber.  That's usually very noticeable, though, so I doubt that's the case here.

 

[DearMissMermaid]

When all else fails...

Turn on furnace, squirt a shot of OZIUM in the main living area, then zip out the door for a leisurely walk, preferably a half hour or more.

Return and your place should smell like NOTHING.

 

[SCVJeff]

It's possible there is a dead small animal in a duct, or maybe just his wastes. That kind of aroma can linger for ages, and isn't necessarily strong (because of dehydration).

It's almost impossible to get a propane smell (mercaptan) from a malfunctioning furnace, but you might get an exhaust gas smell if a hole has burned thru the heat chamber.  That's usually very noticeable, though, so I doubt that's the case here.

And if it did your CO detector better be screaming!  I had this happen on the last coach.. Very different smell