Homes with oil-fueled furnaces are very common around the world. When functioning properly, these furnaces can provide efficient heat for years and years with no issues.
But if there is an issue, one of the problems can be that you start to smell heating oil inside of the home. While this may be caused by a minor problem, if allowed to go on, it can be harmful.
So below we’ll look at how to get rid of heating oil smells in your home and what causes them.
Why Do I Smell Heating Oil In My House?
Normally, an oil furnace should not produce any odors that can be detected in the house. So if you do smell heating oil, it means there is a problem.
1. An oil spill
The most common cause of smelling heating oil in the home is due to an oil spill somewhere. heating oil has a very strong odor, so a small amount can cause a big smell.
The furnace is usually located in the home’s basement, so that’s the first place to check. Check around the furnace and check all fuel lines and connectors for leaks.
You may also need to check the oil tank and follow the lines into the home to make sure no leak has developed there as well.
If any leaks are detected, these will most likely need to be repaired by a professional.
2. Cracked burner in the furnace
Inside of the furnace is the burner. This is where the actual heating oil is burned to produce the heat for the home.
However, if there is a crack in the burner, unburnt heating oil can escape, and this odor can then run through the whole house along with the warm air.
Cracks can sometimes be seen with a casual visual inspection of the furnace and burner. But if you are unsure where to look, hire a professional to inspect the system for cracks in the burner.
Cracks left unchecked will just get bigger and will end up destroying the furnace. So it’s important to spot these as quickly as possible before they become a bigger issue.
3. Leaky ventilation
A properly running furnace will send all of the burnt oil’s byproducts out of the exhaust. But leaks or holes in any part of the ventilation system can disrupt this proper flow of air.
If there is a leak anywhere in the ducts around the furnace or throughout the house, this can change the pressures needed to properly send exhaust out of the house.
Check all vents and ducts for leaks and repair any that you find.
What Kills The Smell Of Heating Oil?
If you’ve tracked down the source of the smell but still are dealing with lingering odors, there are a few ways to kill the smell of heating oil.
If there was a spill, make sure to clean up the spill as much as possible to remove all traces. If the spill was on a concrete floor, place powder laundry detergent or another type of absorbent substance over the spill to draw it out of the concrete.
If the smell was due to other reasons, you can place a bowl of vinegar near the furnace and near the vents throughout the house. Replace these once a day until the heating oil smell is completely gone.
The vinegar will help neutralize the heating oil smell over time.
Finally, you can also use activated charcoal to absorb strong odors. Place the activated charcoal near the furnace and over the vents. Make sure not to restrict the airflow of the vents though.
The activated charcoal will absorb the odor in a day or so depending on how bad the smell was to begin with.
How To Get Rid Of Heating Oil Smell FAQ
Why do I smell heating oil in my house?
Heating oil has a very distinct smell, and it doesn’t take much to make the house smell. The most common reason to smell heating oil is due to an oil leak somewhere near the furnace.
Check the furnace and all lines to see if there is a leak.
Can the smell of heating oil make you sick?
For a short time, no. But prolonged exposure can be harmful and can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and irritation.
If you smell heating oil in your home, make sure to address the issue as soon as possible.
Does heating oil give off carbon monoxide?
By itself, no. But burning heating oil does produce carbon monoxide as one of the byproducts.
If you smell heating oil in your home and it was due to an oil leak or an oil spill, the spill gives off no carbon monoxide.
If the odor is being caused by a cracked burner or leak in the ventilation system, there may be carbon monoxide along with the smell of heating oil.
If you smell heating oil, it’s best to find the cause as soon as possible to avoid any potential risks from overexposure to the oil or the byproducts.
Final Thoughts On Getting Rid Of Heating Oil Smells In The Home
A properly functioning furnace should not produce any heating oil smells within the home. If you do smell heating oil, it means there is an issue that needs addressing as soon as possible.
Use the steps in this guide to track down the source of the heating oil smell, then once addressed, remove any lingering smell with the tips given.