When suddenly your water heater smells like burning you have to take action immediately. Ignoring this can lead to serious damage. Although some issues may be minor and can be fixed, sometimes there are big problems that pose safety hazards like fire risks. Knowing about this in detail and how to take steps, when to call professionals help you protect your home and you can comfortably enjoy hot water.
In this blog from MileHi HVAC we will tell you about why these strange smells come from your water heater, what are the causes, how you can fix it and prevent these in future.
Why Does Your Water Heater Smell Like Burning?
When you notice a burning smell from a water heater it cannot be due to one single reason. There can be multiple causes behind it like overheating elements, dust buildup and electrical issues. At starting the smell may be faint but you have to take steps earlier as with time it worsens and leads to serious issues like system damage.
Following are some common causes behind this burning.
Dust and debris burning off
It is a minor problem and occurs when you are not using your water for a long time as a result dust builds up in the burner and heater. When the heater turns on dust burns which results in temporary odour.
- It is not dangerous if stops quickly
- Fades after few minutes when dust burns out
- It is common after seasonal inactivity
So if your hot water heater smells like burning it is very serious and risky for you.
Melted plastic or insulation
When you notice a smell like burning plastic it can be due to overheating of plastic components, vents and insulation which emits burning odour. When water heater smells like burning look for:
- Damaged insulation
- Discolored vent pipes
- Melted wiring wrapped plastic fittings
When you notice signs and smell of this type then it is time to call professionals immediately.
Electrical component failure
Water heater electrical burning smell is only due to malfunctioning electrical components. It includes faulty thermostats, overheating or damaged electrical components through which wire melts and results in burning smell.
You will notice these type of signals like:
- Visible scorch marks near wiring
- Strange and strong smell of plastic and rubber
- Water heater shuts off unexpectedly
- Flickering breaker tips
If you are noticing consistent and for a long time the water heater smells like something burning then turn off power supply to the heater and contact a professional team for inspection.
Overheated heating elements
Electric water heaters use heating elements which overheat when there is dust, sediment buildup and damaged components. When there is sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank it forces the heating elements to work harder which results in a burning smell from the water heater.
This issue results in:
- Longer heating time
- Reduces energy efficiency
- Higher energy bills
- Everytime burning smells
Gas burner problem
In the case of a gas water heater unusual odors are due to debris and combustion issues which results in the hot water heater smells like burning. The major causes behind these smell are:
- Improper gas pressure
- Dirty components like burner
- Blocked vents
- Clogged burner
Gas related smells are very risky and dangerous. In that case you can immediately call our team at MileHi HVAC.
Steps to do when water heater smells like burning
When you detect that water heater smells like something is burning follow these steps for safety concerns:
- Turn off power supply in case of both electrical and gas heaters
- Avoid using water from heater until the issue resolves
- Check for damages
- Contact some professionals like MileHi HVAC
When you notice a water heater electrical burning smell don’t perform DIY as electrical issues are serious and quickly escalate into fire hazards.
Read More: How Much Does Water Heater Repair Cost?
How to prevent these burning smells in future
Regular maintenance significantly prevents the water heater smells like something is burning.
Here are some steps for prevention:
- Annual flushing of tank to remove any dust
- Scheduling professional inspection
- Ensuring proper ventilation
- Replacing your system on time
For these professional services our team is always here to help and guide you so call MileHi HVAC whenever you need.
How MileHi HVAC diagnose the problem
When you contact us for help or expert technicians professionally inspect the issues like
- Check all the electrical and gas connections
- Test heating and thermostats
- Look for sediment buildup
- Examines the venting systems
After proper diagnosing we also give you honest recommendations whether to replace or repair your system. If your system is 15 to 20 years old then the best and smart decision is replacing your system to avoid frequent repairs.
Conclusion
A water heater smells like burning should not be taken lightly. When you notice smells like plastic dust smells they are temporary, not harmful but consistent and strange odors are due to faulty components which are dangerous. When you are experiencing a continuous burning smell from a water heater or water heater electrical burning smell it is a signal to serious safety concerns.
Proper maintenance and early detection helps you to save your home and family. If you notice these types of signs don’t wait and contact MileHi HVAC. With our reliable and expert Denver heater maintenance service we ensure safe and quick operations and peace of mind.
FAQS
Why does my water heater smell like burning when first turned on?
At starting it may be dust burning on components which is temporary but if it continues its a signal to problem in some electrical components.
Is the burning smell from the water heater always dangerous?
No but persistent and strange odors are dangerous as sometimes it results in fire hazards.
What causes a hot water heater to smell like burning plastic?
This type of plastic smell is due to melting wiring or the overheating of electrical or heating components.
What should I do if I notice a water heater that smells like something burning?
You should turn off the power to the water heater then contact some professionals like MileHi HVAC for inspection.
Can sediment cause a water heater electrical burning smell?
Sediment buildup forces the system to work harder and causes overheating which leads to a burning odor.
