Noticed a burning smell from your furnace the first time you turned the heat on this fall? A dusty burning smell during the first start of the season is normal and usually fades within an hour. But a smell that lingers, or smells like burning plastic, rubber, or wiring, is a warning sign that you should shut the furnace off. Sherwood Mechanical explains how to tell the difference, which smells need immediate attention, and what steps to take to keep your Sherwood Park home safe this heating season.