Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Our furnace air smells rank!

We've been noticing a smell in the house for a while. It wasn't until recently that I realized the smell is coming directly from the heat vent. The warm air that comes from the vent smells! It does not smell like anything burning. If I had to guess, it almost smells like stale pet urine....gross, I know, but that's the closest thing I can guess. Our dog died over a year ago...he was old and I always assumed the smell was from his occasional accident on the rug. I have changed the filter and that gave us no improvement. The furnace is at least 15 years old...probably older. We know that it's in bad shape but have been waiting for it to completely die on us before replacing it. Could it be time?? Do old furnaces smell before they keel over??

Denver,

Most smells occur from either an EAC that needs cleaning or an evap coil that needs cleaning. I would rule these two areas out first.

I doubt the smell has anything to do with whether your furnace is about to roll over and die.

Post back and let us know what you find.

Good LucK!

I'll have both of those things looked at. Thanks for the reply!!