AC Smells Like Burning in Columbia, SC

A genuine electrical or burning smell from an HVAC system is one of the few symptoms on this site worth treating as urgent on its own.

What usually causes this

An overheating motor or a failing electrical component
Dust burning off a heating element the first time it runs each season - usually brief and clears within an hour (see our no-heat page)
A belt or bearing that's seized and is generating friction heat

What to do before someone arrives

Shut the system off at the thermostat and, if you're comfortable doing so, at the breaker
Do not run the system again until it's been looked at

Questions people ask

Is it normal for the heat to smell a bit when it first runs each year?

A mild dusty smell for the first hour of the season is normal, from dust burning off a heating element that's sat unused. A smell that's sharp, persists, or smells electrical or like burning plastic is not normal - shut it down.

Send us the details

We pass them straight to a licensed local HVAC contractor who handles emergency hvac repair. There is no cost to you.

Your name

Phone The contractor will call this number.

Service address

City or town

ZIP code

What do you need?

How urgent is it?

What is the system doing?Symptoms, when it started, and the system type if you know it. The more detail, the shorter the visit.

I agree that Columbia SC HVAC Repair Pros and the HVAC contractor it refers me to may contact me by phone, text message or email about this service request. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply.

Our phone line is being set up. Until it is live, this form is the fastest way to reach us.

Also see: Emergency HVAC Repair in Columbia, SC

Tell us what your system is doing

Send us the details and we will pass them to a licensed local HVAC contractor.

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