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Turned on the heat, smoke detector went off

UnderdogUnderdog Registered User regular
edited July 2012 in Help / Advice Forum
So I came down earlier this morning to turn off the AC but in my sleepy haze, I pushed the button a little too far and switched on the heat. Less than a minute later, the smoke detector started blaring. I turned off the ventilation entirely and went down to the basement. Approaching the furnace, I could smell a slightly burnt smell in the air.

I haven't turned anything on since then for fear that I had done some damage to the system. Is anyone familiar with this? I'm in a house and our heating is done by natural gas if that makes a difference.

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    Billy ChenowithBilly Chenowith Registered User regular
    edited July 2012
    I've never seen it set off a smoke detector, but it's probably just burning dust. If so it'll go away when the dust burns off :o

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    MalgarasMalgaras Registered User regular
    edited July 2012
    That smell when you first turn on the heat after it's been off for a while is not at all uncommon and I wouldn't worry too much. What I would be more concerned with is whether or not that is just a smoke detector or a smoke/CO detector. If you wind up with the heat and AC on at the same time, it is very possible to start pumping carbon monoxide through your house if you aren't careful.

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    NoisymunkNoisymunk Registered User regular
    Underdog wrote:
    So I came down earlier this morning to turn off the AC but in my sleepy haze, I pushed the button a little too far and switched on the heat. Less than a minute later, the smoke detector started blaring. I turned off the ventilation entirely and went down to the basement. Approaching the furnace, I could smell a slightly burnt smell in the air.

    I haven't turned anything on since then for fear that I had done some damage to the system. Is anyone familiar with this? I'm in a house and our heating is done by natural gas if that makes a difference.

    Yes, I've had this happen. The ignitor was taking too long to fire, and the ignition box was filling up with too much oil. When it would ignite, it would blow out a puff of smoke and set off the smoke alarm. We had to have the ignitor replaced, it was a fairly cheap part and didn't take long.

    Your probably smoked a little because you hadn't been running it, and sometimes there's a little smoke the first time you fire up your furnace for the season. If I were you, I'd make sure to have a reputable maintenance company come out and inspect your furnace just before you're ready to turn it on for the season.

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    MetroidZoidMetroidZoid Registered User regular
    Yeah Id also double check for it being a carbon monoxide alarm too. Rule out things, plus that way you know in the future.

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Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum