Summer has finally gone away, but it now smells like something is going to burn to a crisp in your home after you turn on the heat for the first time. What gives?

The good news: You've already roasted enough under heat domes this summer that your indoor furnace probably isn't going to finish the job.

But those dust bunnies that have been loafing around on your heater all summer, yeah... they're toast.

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That burning smell is completely normal and you and your home are safe.

The dust bunnies are burning! What can I do?

The short answer: Just wait.

The smell that populates your home will generally only last about an hour.

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If this smell is too overwhelming, just leave the house for a little while and come back. The smell should pass pretty quickly.

To reduce the smell, swap in a fresh air filter before firing up the furnace for the first time. Otherwise, the dust, pet hair and other debris your home has collected will blow through the air along with that burning odor during the first heating cycle — so a clean filter might spare your allergies as well.

Try running your heat for the first time before you actually need it — there's nothing worse than being stuck freezing in a house that smells like soot.

Don't be surprised if your fire alarm goes off when you first turn on the heat either, and this time it isn't your dinner. After all, you are burning dust bunnies. That chirp will stop after a while. No need to call the fire department – this time.

What's happening, and when should I be concerned?

The fine layer of dust that has been taking refuge on your heating system is burnt off during the first heating episode of the fall or winter.

This is completely safe in most scenarios, but there are a few times you should take action.

If the burning smell lasts for more than a day or happens when you turn the heat up multiple times in a row over several days, it might be worth asking a professional for their opinion.

There are a few smells that should be a signal to call an HVAC technician: burning plastic, electrical burning or rotten eggs. These can be signs of worn-out parts or a gas leak.

In the case of rotten eggs or a gas smell, turn off your heating system immediately and call the gas company. There's likely a gas leak. Leave your home and don't light any appliances, candles or other fires.

If you're in the South or Midwest, the first heat could also emit a stench of mustiness. Dust bunnies aren't the only thing that may have crept into your HVAC system.

High humidity could have allowed mold or mildew to build up, too. You probably need to have your HVAC system cleaned out.

Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for weather.com for 10 years. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.