Expert: James Ball - 9/7/2009

Question
Hi,

I live in a condo and we had our first fire in a wood fireplace last week.  I went to use the furnace and noticed the "burnt fireplace smell" coming into my living room.  I aired out the house and tried again with just the furnace fan, well it happened again.  What could be the problem?  I totally cleaned out the ashes and it still happened. I have also tried it with the flu open as well as closed.   I have lived here 10 years and this has never been a problem.  I plan on calling a fireplace company tomorrow, but thought you may have a suggestion so I dont get taken for a ride.
Blessings to you,
burnt smelling woman

Answer
Hello Becky, it sounds like you need make up air when a furnace turns on it also turns on a "return" big vent (usually near a fireplace or in the same room) that pulls air from the house and re circulates it (Heats or cools it)  this will pull air down  the chimney along with odors.
I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James