Smelling the heat!

[Luftnoggin]

Using our Inter 25'FB for the second time since purchase (new), turned on the heater to the acrid smell of God knows what. No smoke visible but the smoke alarm went off. Checked outside at the furnace and no smell no smoke. Over head a/c fan working. Any ideas? Used the unit last week with no problem.

[dznf0g]

Pretty normal for a new furnace to have a hot steel/oily smell for the first few uses. BUT, I can't smell what you smell from here, so if you don't think it is the manufacturing oils burning off, get it checked out.

[Max Well]

Check inside the heater for wasp nests or cooked critters. I bet something crawled up in there and either died or for sure is dead now!

[Ahab]

That is a natural occurance for a new unit. During the walk through didn't they tell you to run the furnace for a while to burn off the mfg. residues with the doors and windows open?

[dznf0g]

Re-read your post. Are you talking about the heat pump, heat strip or your gas furnace?

[Melody Ranch]

I really don't know the original equipment on anything newer than 1966....However, you might be reminded of the Carrier recall...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...all-60146.html

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

I really don't know the original equipment on anything newer than 1966....However, you might be reminded of the Carrier recall...
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...all-60146.html

That's exactly why I asked for clarification. When OP states overhead fan working, I got worried we weren't talking about the gas furnace.

[Skater]

Don't forget some dust settles on the furnace when it's not in use...when the hot parts heat up, you're going to get a smell as it burns off. That should only happen the first time or two it cycles on, though.

[Luftnoggin]

Thanks all for your responses. Used the heater last week for the first time without any(!) smell. On start- up today, this quite acrid odor was emitted, without visible evidence, but it did set off the smoke alarm. Later today I opened all windows and vents, turned on the furnace and had the same smell and set off the alarm with the trailer fully vented. Going to let the dealer deal with it. Oddly enough I had another warranty issue as the small bedroom window exploded on opening it upon arrival at our destination. So a twofer this weekend. Having a blast (cold blast) none the less.