1. Dust Burning Off the Radiator Surface
The smell often appears the first few times you use the heating each season. Dust collects on the radiator fins, then burns slightly when the heat rises.
2. Dirt or Spills on the Radiator
In one house, a bit of spilled air-freshener residue on the radiator created a sweet burnt smell every time the heating came on.
3. If the Smell Comes From the Pipes
Once I noticed a faint warm metal smell coming from the pipes, not the radiator. It turned out to be residue heating up after a plumber had worked on the system.
If your radiator also heats unevenly, this might explain the smell too:
Radiators Heat Unevenly Across the House
4. What Fixed It for Me
A proper wipe down (especially between the fins) and normal airflow cleared the smell within a day or two.
Want to keep your whole home warmer without overspending? Start here:
How to Keep a UK Home Warm for Cheap (Complete Guide)
