Gas Smell Near Furnace: Should You Be Worried?
There are many fuel sources for a furnace, including LPG, fuel oils, natural gas, and wood; some people even use coal. But out of all these, natural gas is most commonly used because it consumes less energy, works even during power breakdowns, cleans burning fuel, etc.
But, with all these advantages, using natural gas has one drawback – gas leakage. Natural gas is colorless and odorless, making it hard to detect leakages. That’s why companies add a rotten egg smell to the gas for homeowners to determine gas leaks.
In this article, we’re going to discuss gas leaks, their reasons, and how you can handle them.
Reasons For Gas Leaking Smell
It is common for furnaces to release small amounts of gas when they work after a long time. This is caused by incomplete combustion due to deposited dust and debris. Other reasons for gas leakage may be:
- If the furnace in your home is too old, its pipelines may wear down and lead to a crack that leaks gas that can be fixed by furnace maintenance in Ormond Beach, FL.
- The furnace starts releasing carbon monoxide when the fuel isn’t burning completely. This gas in small amounts doesn’t cause harm, but large amounts can cause explosions and health-related issues.
- The gas is combusted in a chamber inside the heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger is cracked, it may release harmful gas into your home.
Signs of A Gas Leak That Should Look Out For
- Rotten Egg or Sulfur Odor: A chemical named Mercaptan, which smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, is added to the natural gas by gas companies to detect a gas leak. If you witness such a smell in your home, the reason might be gas leakage.
- Withering Plants: Plants and bushes in your home need oxygen to survive. The gas released from the furnace absorbs the oxygen, and without sufficient oxygen, the plants will start withering. Common signs of a withering plant are yellow and dead leaves.
- Health-Related Issues: The ill effects of a gas leak are not limited to damages to households only. Exposure to leaked gas can cause many health-related issues and lead to weakness, nausea, suffocation, and headaches.
Handling The Gas Leaks
The dangers of harmful gas leakages are known to everyone. It can lead to massive explosions or serious health issues, which is why it is necessary to curb them at the earliest. If you suspect gas leakage at your home, you should do the following things:
- Turn off your HVAC unit and contact a furnace service in Palm Coast, FL
- Do not light match sticks or use a lighter. If there are any flames, turn them off
- Open the doors and windows
- Leave your home
Gas leaks are harmful and should not be taken lightly. If you want expert help for gas leakage and other HVAC services in Daytona Beach, you can trust Accu-Temp Heating and Air Conditioning. We provide quality HVAC services in Florida at affordable prices. Check our website today or mail us at [email protected] for inquiries!
