Turn off your furnace, soak a cloth in soapy water, and run it along any exposed gas lines around your furnace, as well as the heat exchanger. Bubbles will appear in the soapy water at any points where gas is escaping.
A gas smell around the furnace is a sign of gas leaks. You need to take immediate precautions if you smell gas around your furnace as you wait for an expert in furnace repair. The first step should be to turn off the furnace via the thermostat and ventilate the house to get rid of the gas.
Furnace gas leaks release harmful substances into the air, such as carbon monoxide, which can cause symptoms in people who are exposed. The most common short-term symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include headaches, dizziness, nausea, sinus irritation, and difficulty breathing.
No, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms cannot detect natural gas leaks. They are designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas formed during incomplete combustion of fuels like oil, gas, propane, and wood.
Symptoms of Heater Sickness
Here are a few common symptoms to keep an eye out for: Coughing and sneezing. Sinus infections. Allergy symptoms.
Severe leaks can cause this problem in just five minutes. The EPA states that exposure to concentrations of nine ppm or more for eight hours is enough to produce harmful health effects for at-risk individuals. Exit the property and call 911 if you suspect your home has a gas leak.
The most common way natural gas leaks are detected is by the smell, but you may notice a hissing sound from a connection in a lab or dead vegetation near a buried gas line. React. Evacuate the area immediately.
Here's what you should DO if you smell gas: DO leave the home, building, or area of the suspected leak. Get to a safe area as quickly as possible. After leaving your home, DO call the 24-hour emergency number for Peoples at 1-800-400-4271, or call your local emergency response number.
If you detect a sulfuric, rotten egg-like smell coming from your furnace, it is imperative that you act immediately, as you could be dealing with a gas leak.
It's normal for a faint odor to remain after lighting a stove or if the pilot light in a hot water heater, gas fireplace or other appliance goes out. Nonetheless, any possible leak must be taken seriously, especially if the odor is strong, persistent, or accompanied by a hissing sound.
Can a gas leak make you ill? Sometimes, a gas leak can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea. If you have mild symptoms they should go away when you leave the home, but it's still a good idea to see a doctor. Breathing in carbon monoxide, meanwhile, can lead to poisoning, which can be fatal.
Leak Detection Methods
One method for detecting leaks would be using smoke generators (i.e., smoke bombs). They are very effective in finding leaks that are difficult to locate. This method is performed when the furnace is cold and after all combustibles have been purged from the furnace.
The estimated cost of getting a leaky furnace fixed can be as low as $80. But for a thorough repair or replacing a broken down part, the cost can range from $800 to $1500.
Natural gas leaks are particularly likely to cause smells in small, enclosed areas where gas can build up. If the leak is outside, the smell may seem to come and go as the breeze blows it away. The other big sign to look out for is a strange noise.
Will a carbon monoxide alarm detect gas leaks? Answer: While a carbon monoxide detector is helpful to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you cannot rely on a carbon monoxide detector to detect a gas leak. A carbon monoxide detector will sense carbon monoxide, not raw fuel or gas fumes.
Natural gas explosions are not only devastating but often deadly. A small leak, if exposed to a spark or flame, can trigger an explosion powerful enough to cause huge fires and significant loss of life. The energy blast of the explosion can damage or even destroy houses and buildings.
Key points about carbon monoxide poisoning
Most CO exposures happen in the winter. A common source is unvented space heaters. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures, chest pain, disorientation, and loss of consciousness.
One often not considered source of a “gas-like” smell that can come from your home is bacteria inside of your sink or sewer system. It has a similar smell to the sulfur that is added to gas to give it an odor but is obviously less dangerous.
A gas furnace should have a vibrant or bright blue flame. When you see a weak and wavy or flickering flame, this indicates gas is not being completely burned. Pilot light color changes are another indicator that carbon monoxide is not venting away from the system safely.
A furnace leak can be a severe issue. Not only can it cause your furnace to stop working, but it can also release carbon monoxide into your home. This gas is deadly and can cause serious health problems, or even death, for you and your family.