Can you smell when the heating is on?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1iak1ju/can_you_smell_when_the_heating_is_on/

created by Ok-Pin7345 on 26/01/2025 at 17:11 UTC

519 upvotes, 73 top-level comments (showing 25)

My friends think I'm nuts for this, but I can smell when the heating is on. It's not a strong smell, but I can always notice it, especially when I'm close to a radiator. I just want to know it's not just some placebo or something similar.

Comments

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Comment by foxhill_matt at 26/01/2025 at 17:13 UTC

916 upvotes, 11 direct replies

You need to dust behind your radiators. You're smelling hot dust.

Comment by Strong_Mushroom_6593 at 26/01/2025 at 17:16 UTC

112 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I love that smell! Nice hot dust.

Comment by Puzzleheaded_Coat_49 at 26/01/2025 at 17:13 UTC

291 upvotes, 3 direct replies

Dusty radiators!

Comment by -myeyeshaveseenyou- at 26/01/2025 at 17:31 UTC

94 upvotes, 3 direct replies

I can smell irons, hair straighteners and radiators.

Comment by TedsterTheSecond at 26/01/2025 at 17:36 UTC

24 upvotes, 2 direct replies

Yes I can also smell ozone before a storm. It's kind of sweet.

Comment by FakeNordicAlien at 26/01/2025 at 17:20 UTC

16 upvotes, 1 direct replies

At the beginning of heating season, yes, I smell the hot metal for the first few days when it hasn’t been used for awhile. When there are clothes or especially bedding on the radiators, also yes, I smell the hot cotton. Hot cotton has a very strong smell to me - I used to be able to smell when someone was ironing downstairs when I was up in my bedroom with the door closed.

At other times, no.

But it could also easily be a psychological thing, because I assume you can also *feel* when the radiators are on. If a person could smell it accurately without being able to feel it, they’d have a stronger argument.

Comment by Opening_Relation_121 at 26/01/2025 at 17:44 UTC

12 upvotes, 1 direct replies

It might be sensory sensitivity. I can smell heat, cold, warm earth, rain and so on. I was sure everyone else can smell it too but was surprised

Comment by LauraHday at 26/01/2025 at 17:38 UTC

9 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Of course???

Comment by Strict_Working_2238 at 26/01/2025 at 17:18 UTC

22 upvotes, 0 direct replies

It’s the dust burning on the radiator. I smell it too!

Comment by cbaotl at 26/01/2025 at 17:15 UTC

6 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Usually at the start of the season when I turn them on for the first time in months

Comment by Agreeable_Fig_3713 at 26/01/2025 at 17:20 UTC

5 upvotes, 0 direct replies

No. You’re not mental. I can too

Comment by srm79 at 26/01/2025 at 17:32 UTC

6 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Dust and some paints release a smell when heated, so yeah, I can often smell when the heating is on

Comment by No_Noise_5733 at 26/01/2025 at 17:17 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

The dust bunnies are boiling lol

Comment by firekeeper23 at 26/01/2025 at 17:18 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Yes, I know exactly what you mean.. ifor me its a warm fuzzy smell thats quite rounded in my nose...

Comment by Peskycat42 at 26/01/2025 at 17:34 UTC

3 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Since everyone is capable of hearing the difference between running hot water and running cold water, then smelling hot air doesn't sound like a stretch to me.

Comment by thefrickenAJP8 at 26/01/2025 at 17:29 UTC

5 upvotes, 0 direct replies

You can smell dust

Comment by Empty_Cherry6995 at 26/01/2025 at 17:27 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Yes, I could smell the dust, when I first turned the heating on in November. Then I give them a clean and all is well.

Comment by spanners68 at 26/01/2025 at 17:35 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

No but I can smell what the rock is cooking

Comment by One_Reality_5600 at 26/01/2025 at 17:43 UTC

2 upvotes, 0 direct replies

So can i