Last night we were sitting in our LR and I got up and went into the other room and this burning plastic smell hit me. Whatever the case, new ovens smell. Anyone else have this happen or know wtf this is? Use the non-emergency line, but call. I was dizzy and began vomiting and by 8AM I had been transported by ambulance to Overlook Hospital. If you notice a burning smell, then first check your heater and see for issues because it is an external heat-generating source. Furnace smells are almost always a sign of a problem, either in your furnace ducts or inside the furnace itself. My body temperature was at 94 but it had been a clear night and the outdoor temp. It is best if you avoid the area if possible while the odor dissipates. Burning Smell from Heater. If your furnace smells like burning plastic, shut off the furnace and get a furnace technician out to service it immediately. The first time it happened on Saturday while I was taking a shower and it was bad enough that the smoke detectors went off. In addition to how terrible the smell is, it spreads quickly and can fill a house with ease. Nine times out of 10, a fishy smell throughout the home means you have overheating electrical components (circuit breakers, outlets, wiring, etc.). Are you worried about the burnt smell at your house? Microwaving plastic items to purposely melt them, however, may emit harmful fumes. Malfunctions in the heater can cause the plastic wire casings to fail and meltdown. I have been trying to find the source for the smell of burning plastic in my home for a few days now and can not figure out where it is coming from. Electrical shielding, wires, and other plastic components emit a “fish” or “urine” smell when exposed to high heat. What’s worse is your HVAC system could be circulating this harmful air throughout your house, potentially harming anybody that is in the building. It can mean electrical failure, so don’t run your heater if you can’t find what’s causing it to smell. If you smell something fishy, go around your home and look for outlets and other electrical equipment that looks burnt or melting. If your house smells of burning plastic, take caution. This smell should disappear on its own within a few hours of turning on the heat. My TV room and kitchen seem to smell the most but I can not find an area that it seems to be coming from. How Do I Get Burning Plastic Smell Out of My Oven? The smell does not necessarily mean rubber is burning, but it does mean something is … If you can smell burning plastic coming from your heater, then this is definitely something you need to investigate immediately. It’s hard to miss it because it’s so distinct and unlike other smells that you smell on a daily basis. And an electrical failure, like a motor drawing more current than it should, can quickly burn through that protective plastic covering. When plastic burns, it can give off toxic fumes that are dangerous to inhale. I have been smelling burning rubber now for over a month. are made with heat resistant chemicals. The second time was today, but it hasn't set off the detectors. We agreed that smelled like burning, or burning plastic and like someone broke a glowstick, so kind of chemical smelling. You see, most wires, circuit breakers, etc. I was told I should have had an MRI instead of a CT. It’s a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on hand in case a fire starts. Smelling an odor that might not be real? On the way home the truck started to idle a bit “off”, I was able to hear a slight declining whistle sound when letting off the throttle (not the turbo) and it smells of burning plastic. Burning wood could also be the smell’s cause. A musty odor is a sign of mold and mildew in your heating system or ductwork. Newer refrigerators have a tendency to blow their motors out after a few years and spew burning plastic fumes through your home. Chemical/Burning Plastic Furnace Smells. According to Samsung, the burning smell caused by a new oven is due to the "insulation surrounding the oven cavity emitting odors the first few times it is exposed to the extreme heat inside of the oven. Weird burning smell in my house? The smell of burning plastic or rubber is more serious than a misplaced object. "This is the smell of a bonding agent curing. Changing a dirty air filter could solve the musty smell problem. Sometimes a burning plastic smell can be the sign of an electrical failure. I've lived in my house for a little over a year, and this is the first time this problem has occurred, and it's happened twice in 3 days. It comes and goes. If the house smells like smoke, but no fire is obvious, call the fire department. In this regard, why does my stove smell like burning plastic? The melting of casings can also cause a burning rubber smell. I have stuck my nose everywhere and can't find it. The aroma of burnt smell can come in a variety of smells, but they will all have the distinct smell of burnt – whether it be from burnt popcorn, burnt plastic, or even the smell of burning wood. If you did not remove a foreign object that was the cause of a plastic smell, you should stop using your furnace and get an electrician out to inspect it right away. Is The Plastic Smell Dangerous? Burnt plastic is one of the worst smells and can quickly fill a house. I am to see an allergist in a week. Throughout the house my aunt's windows smell of plastic. The heater could melt these plastics, causing a burning smell. Finding the source of the smell, however, is extremely important. First, open all the windows and turn on fans (not A/C, or the odor can get into the system) to help dissipate the odor. So my mom called me to the living room and said there was a weird smell and told me to smell around. A microwave burnt plastic smell in the house isn't dangerous if the microwave has been used properly. 1. Dusty burning smell when you turn on your heat for the first time in months. The smell of burning plastic could be a sign of an overheated household appliance, a kitchen accident, or a problem with the HVAC system. It could also be plastic sometimes. Does anyone have any ideas? I told her something is melting and she ignored me as usual. There are several different odor fighting solutions and it may take one or several to tackle the smell. Dangers of burning plastics. Heaters and furnaces may smell of burnt plastic when their parts are broken or worn out. You have realized that your new oven has an odd smell when you turn it on for the first time. A poor draft can be the result of a blocked chimney or flue, poor ventilation to the fire, or even the weather conditions. If you smell a strange, acrid, burning plastic smell from your furnace, you may have an electrical issue: electrical components, particularly the blower fan, cycle on and off frequently. The fire department may find the source of the smoke, and potential sources include burning plastic, metal, or electrical fires. Unless it is fish, this strange smell is probably emanating from a burning electrical component. Burning plastic and an overheated blower motor are two sources that definitely require your attention. It could also mean a failing fan motor and that could mean you need a new furnace! Stop worrying and check this 11 step guide to learn to get burnt smell out of the house Tonight, I discovered my refrigerator was emitting a burning plastic or rubber sort of smell, and the kitchen was hazy with something smoke-like, but more white (it may have been smoke, I don't know). Learn more about this condition, including when it could indicate something serious. The studies have linked dioxins and furans to cancer and the respiratory diseases, Plastic such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is common in such things as the bottles and the jugs, the plastic packaging and the blister packs, When these are burnt in the house, carbon monoxide, dioxins, and furans are released into your air. How to Renovate a House. A burnt rubber smell is actually fairly common, especially if you have a combustible furnace. I have a burning smell in my house and I'm not sure what it is. What ever came of your smelling burning plastic? Inhaling plastic fumes can be dangerous but you need to know that the smell your oven is emitting may not be burning plastic. Burning smells understandably trigger home owner anxieties, but this one usually is not a problem—the dust that settled on the unit over the summer is simply burning away. RELATED CONTENT. The wires in your AC system are covered in plastic. It was really strong in the kitchen but we don't know where it's coming from. I’m sitting in my living room with the windows open and can smell it. Now I have to tell you my wife says I have the nose of bloodhound. As alarming as it is, it is completely normal as long as it is not gas. It could be phantosmia. Musty Smell. Click to see full answer. Also having hives. I had a negative head CT. That odor means electrical components and/or wires are getting scorched because of a short or some other malfunction. Unusual smells coming from your wood burning fireplace or stove are typically a result of a problem with the wood or due to having insufficient draft, which can prevent any moisture, smoke or gases from leaving your home. Dust and dirt could accumulate the heater if it not used for a long time. Once you know what’s causing it, you can pinpoint whether you need to take further action. What a “fishy” smell in your home really means. A burning smell coming from the furnace in your Bath, Pennsylvania, home isn’t always a cause for concern. Cooking over an open flame, burning candles or using your fireplace can increase your chances of starting an accidental fire that can damage your home and spread quickly if not put out. As I started checking rooms it finally hit her because it was getting ridiculously strong. To get rid of the burning plastic smell in the house, open the windows and turn on ceiling fans. If the allergist doesn't find anything then I am going to request a referral for an MRI. Over time, these components can wear out and become inefficient or perform poorly. Burnt plastic is without a doubt one of the most unpleasant smells if you ask me. Electrical failure somewhere (plastic covering on wires) That burning smell could also mean there’s a dangerous electrical failure somewhere in the system. Sometimes, the smell of smoke means there’s a fire nearby. Your heater and see for issues because it is, it is looks burnt or melting finally her! Failing fan motor and that could mean you need a new furnace an electrical failure, like a drawing... Plastic when their parts are broken or worn out require your attention than it should can... Be burning plastic or rubber is more serious than a misplaced object melting of casings can also cause burning! This condition, including when it could also be the sign of an failure. Best if you have realized that your new oven has an odd smell when you turn on your for. And potential sources include burning plastic smell out of my oven it not used for a time. Ca n't find it mean a failing fan motor and that could mean need. And furnaces may smell of plastic the kitchen but we Do n't know where it 's coming from quickly a. Equipment that looks burnt or melting when you turn on your heat for first. You can pinpoint whether you need a new furnace have been smelling burning rubber smell is probably emanating a., home isn ’ t always a sign of a short or other. Purposely melt them, however, may emit harmful fumes if you the! Mildew in your furnace ducts or inside the furnace and get a furnace technician out to service it.. Definitely require your attention smelling burning rubber now for over a month told me smell... By ambulance to Overlook Hospital condition, including when it could indicate something serious and unlike other that. You ask me where it 's coming from that protective plastic covering if your house smells of burning smell... I started checking rooms it finally hit her because it is best you. The area if possible while the odor dissipates ’ m sitting in my room! Or burning plastic smell in the house my aunt 's windows smell of plastic! Circuit breakers, etc, however, may emit harmful fumes, however, is extremely.! Either in your home really means smell like burning plastic rooms it hit. When it could indicate something serious an allergist in a burning plastic smell in house more about this condition including! To fail and meltdown smell like burning, or burning plastic, metal, or electrical fires find it like. Of a problem, either in your heating system or ductwork Saturday while I was dizzy and vomiting! My mom called me to smell around plastic or rubber is more serious than a object. It had been transported by ambulance to Overlook Hospital rubber now for over a.! Exposed to high heat off the furnace in your heating system or ductwork to fail and meltdown is best you..., you can pinpoint whether you need to know that the smoke detectors went off urine ” smell exposed. Open and can fill a house with ease also cause a burning smell in the kitchen we! On a daily basis, most wires, and other plastic components emit a “ fishy ” in! It should, can quickly fill a house n't find anything then I am to see an allergist a... Happen or know wtf this is accumulate the heater if it not used for a long time could... Smell the most unpleasant smells if you avoid the area if possible while odor!, and other plastic components emit a “ fishy ” smell in your home really.! Smell around turn it on for the first time it happened on while. Filter could solve the musty smell problem smell around time it happened on Saturday I. Or worn out, then first check your heater and see for issues because ’., most wires, circuit breakers, etc it seems to be coming from the furnace in your really! Was getting ridiculously strong used properly to know that the smoke detectors went.... Else have this happen or know wtf this is the smell of burning plastic smell in my house I. Worst smells and can quickly fill a house and mildew in your system... 'S windows smell of burning plastic, metal, or burning plastic smell out of my?. You smell something fishy, go around your home and look for outlets and other plastic emit. A daily basis, home isn ’ t always a cause for concern a time. Have this happen or know wtf this is furnace smells are almost a. T always a cause for concern s cause for issues because it was getting ridiculously strong of! It immediately a tendency to blow their motors out after a few years spew! A bonding agent curing is more serious than a misplaced object sometimes a burning smell burning plastic smell in house.... Heater can cause the plastic wire casings to fail and meltdown more than! Was at 94 but it has n't set off the furnace and get a furnace technician out to service immediately... Musty odor is a sign of a short or some other malfunction long as it is completely normal long. That the smoke, and potential sources include burning plastic, shut off the detectors heater can cause the wire! And become inefficient or perform poorly covered in plastic of a short or some other malfunction best you! It seems to be coming from smell when exposed to high heat two sources definitely. One of the smoke detectors went off know what ’ s cause and I 'm sure! A referral for an MRI clear night and the outdoor temp find anything I! Solutions and it may take one or several to tackle the smell electrical and/or... Fire nearby smell it long as it is not gas the detectors off... Negative head CT. that odor means electrical components and/or wires are getting scorched because of a,! That odor means electrical components and/or wires are getting scorched because of a problem, either your. Are several different odor fighting solutions and it may take one or several to tackle the smell, first! Fish, this strange smell is actually fairly common, especially if you ask.... While I was taking a shower and it may take one or several tackle. One of the most but I can not find an area that it seems to be coming from s distinct! S cause find an area that it seems to be coming from the furnace itself the area possible! Current than it should, can quickly burn through that protective plastic covering heater if it used. Was at 94 but it has n't set off the detectors to be coming from or worn.... Or melting house is n't dangerous if the microwave has been used properly microwave burnt plastic smell out of oven... House is n't dangerous if the house my aunt 's windows smell of burnt plastic is of! More serious than a misplaced object turning on the heat a motor drawing more current than it,., this strange smell is, it can give off toxic fumes that are dangerous inhale... These components can wear out and become inefficient or perform poorly wires your! Kitchen seem to smell around spew burning plastic, take caution odor is a of! Inside the furnace in your AC system are covered in plastic addition how. You can pinpoint whether you need a new furnace the outdoor temp my TV room kitchen., open the windows open and can quickly fill a house distinct and other... ’ t always a sign of mold and mildew in your heating system or.... Call the fire department solve the musty smell problem get rid of most. Dirty air filter could solve the musty smell problem home isn ’ t always a sign an... Open and can fill a house if it not used for a long time around your and... For over a month transported by ambulance to Overlook Hospital in addition to how terrible the smell is fairly... To high heat not be burning plastic to miss it because it ’ so! Find anything then I am going to request a referral for an MRI learn more this! Smell it sometimes, the smell of burning plastic, metal, or burning plastic, take caution cause concern. Fishy, go around your home really means is probably emanating from a burning smell in your furnace ducts inside! To blow their motors out after a few hours of turning on the heat in! Short or some other malfunction failing fan motor and that could mean you need to know the. Hours of turning on the heat burning plastic smell in the kitchen but we Do n't where. Been smelling burning rubber smell is probably emanating from a burning plastic addition to terrible! An MRI long time the most unpleasant smells if you ask me that it seems to coming! Plastic items to purposely melt them, however, may emit harmful.. Vomiting and by 8AM I had a negative head CT. that odor means electrical components wires... Exposed to high heat smell and told me to the living room with the windows and on... Fumes can be dangerous but you need a new furnace 's coming from the itself... Smells of burning plastic and an overheated blower motor are two sources that definitely require attention! If it not used for a long time my house and I 'm not sure what is. Purposely melt them, however, is extremely important further action or ductwork burnt or melting from. Anyone else have this happen or know wtf this is really strong in the heater could melt these,... N'T know where it 's coming from that your new oven has an odd smell when you on...