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HVAC · Sourced answer

Why does my furnace or AC produce a strange odor (musty, burning, chemical, or rotten eggs)?

Safety questions regarding gas leaks, dirty sock syndrome, dust burn-off, or electrical component overheating.

The answer

Rotten eggs (sulfur): Emergency natural gas leak; evacuate immediately and call 911. Musty/mildew ("Dirty Sock Syndrome"): bacterial/mold colonization on evaporator coil or drain pan. Burning plastic: overheating motor/wiring. Dusty burning: normal dust burn-off on heat strips/exchanger during first autumn start (clears in 30-60 min). Chemical/formaldehyde: cracked heat exchanger or refrigerant leak.

Sources

This answer is drawn from the standards and guidance below. It is general information about how these systems work — not a diagnosis of your property.

  1. US EPA Duct Cleaning & IAQ
  2. US EPA Mold & Moisture