Many homeowners in St. Louis rely on gas furnaces for warmth during winters. While this is an affordable way to stay comfortable, gas furnaces can have issues at times, the most common one being an unpleasant smell around the furnace. While a faint smell every time you start the furnace is normal, it can be dangerous if you smell gas near a furnace regularly. Knowing the common causes of the gas smell near the furnace will help you take the right action in time to prevent serious consequences of a gas leak.
If your HVAC unit smells of gas, you need to contact a reliable HVAC maintenance contractor immediately. In St. Louis and the surrounding areas, call us at 314-993-1110.
Does Gas Have a Smell?
Furnaces typically have either natural gas or propane as fuel sources. Both these gases have no smell of their own and are invisible. Given the difficulty of detecting gas leaks, companies add a foul-smelling gas called mercaptan to natural gas or propane. This gas is responsible for the rotten egg odor or a sulfur-like smell.
While you should not notice this smell when all is working properly, there are some common reasons for smelling gas near a furnace.
What Causes the Gas (and Other Foul Odor) Smell Near the Furnace?
- Dust – With your furnace being unused in spring and summer, dirt, dust, and other impurities can collect in the heating unit. When you first turn the furnace on for the winter season, the accumulated dust will burn off, giving off the strange gas smell. This is normal, and the smell should go away after a while. Opening windows will help you minimize the unpleasant smell by enabling cross ventilation.
- Exhaust Pipe – While an efficient furnace dissipates the natural gas through the exhaust pipe, it can sometimes blow the gas back through an open door or window to your home. This is typically how the HVAC system’s exhaust expels any unused gas, and smelling gas from the exhaust is normal. Confirm that the smell is coming from the exhaust by paying attention to when you smell the gas. Try closing the door or window to see if the smell disappears.
- Kicking On – It is normal to detect a faint gas smell every time the furnace kicks on. If you notice the smell going away after a while, there may be no reason for concern. To be sure, get your furnace inspected by a reputed St. Louis HVAC service provider.
- Compost – Compost and trash piled up near your living space or window can also emit the same strange smell. Relocating the compost pile further away and taking out trash can solve the problem. Check also if a propane grill is located close to your window or living room. Ensure the valve of your propane grill is turned off completely and store the grill farther away from your living space in the winter.
- Gas Leak – Is the smell constantly strong and present throughout the home? Do you hear a whistling or hissing sound near the furnace? If you have answered yes to either of these, it could indicate a gas leak, which is a serious problem. Turn the furnace off immediately and avoid lighting a match, lighter, switch, or anything that can create a spark. Evacuate your home along with your pets and family and call emergency services or the local gas company.
How to Prevent Gas and Other Smells Near Your Furnace
Regularly cleaning the HVAC ducts throughout the year is key to preventing some strange smells due to dust accumulation. Additionally, your HVAC service professional should provide annual preventive maintenance services for all your HVAC systems that help you avoid gas leaks.
If you are looking for a trusted HVAC contractor in St. Louis to help keep your furnace running smoothly, Galmiche & Sons is here to help. We have been in the HVAC maintenance and repair business since 1950. Get in touch with our heating and air conditioning experts to learn more about our services.
