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What does it mean if your furnace smells like car exhaust?

We have a gas furnace in our house. Lately, after it’s kicked on, there will start to be a faint smell of car exhaust in the house. Should we be worried? Is it normal if your furnace smells like car exhaust?

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Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Lingering odors from your furnace are definitely something you shouldn’t ignore. If your furnace smells like car exhaust, this could mean it isn’t getting properly vented outside.
If that’s the case, you could risk getting carbon monoxide poisoning, which can come on quickly and end fatally.
Make sure the furnace’s vent pipe to the outdoors is free from any obstructing debris, like ice, dirt, or snow. If that doesn’t appear to be the problem, you’ll likely want an HVAC professional to take a closer look at your furnace.
In the meantime, make sure your carbon monoxide detector is in good working condition to protect your household. If your carbon monoxide detector sounds, you should evacuate your home and call 911 from a safe distance.
While you’re looking after your home’s furnace, it doesn’t hurt to make sure your entire house is protected by the right home insurance policy. The
Jerry
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