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.
There is no cause for concern. A faint smell of gas anywhere is not a cause for concern. But if it persists inside the house call the gas company to check it out. It takes fairly high concentrations (strong gas odor) of gas in the air for anything bad to happen.
Just getting a whiff of gas doesn't pose a health risk. The mercaptan odorant used is in very small concentrations, and the gas itself, mostly methane, won't make you sick in small volume.
If you can already smell gas and/or think there could be a leak, you should call us immediately on 0800 111 999* at any time of the day or night. The smell of gas within your property can be alarming and should be treated seriously.
Yes, it is perfectly normal to smell some gas from a meter due to the way it is constructed with regulator valves. This helps with the actual flow of gas that enters the household maintain a steady pressure that is rated for household appliances. What it does is just vents small amounts when the pressure surges.
If your home smells like gas, but there's no apparent leak, here are steps you should follow: Ventilate the house by opening all windows and turning on ceiling fans. After this, if the smell is persistent, evacuate your home. Put out any materials that can create a flame or cause a spark, such as any open flames.
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. Gas is usually under pressure inside of your system, so when there is a leak, it will rush out rapidly.
Leaking gas will form tell-tale bubbles if you have a problem with a connection or pipe. Gently mix a teaspoon of dish soap with water, being careful not to create a bubble. Place the mixture where you suspect a problem. If bubbles do form, leave the area immediately.
Hydrogen Sulfide
The gas has a strong scent of rotten eggs, which makes it distinct from other, similar gases. If you detect this rotten egg scent and you are using hydrogen sulfide at your facility, this could be evidence of a leak.
In some instances, the smell of gas may be present naturally. However, leaks can occur, and we want to make sure they are resolved as quickly as possible. Natural gas is odorless, but an additive called mercaptan is included to alert people of leaks.
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.
Although Alliant Energy adds a distinctive odor to natural gas as a safety precaution to assist in the detection of leaks, your sense of smell might not be enough to detect a leak. Strong smells in the area, like cooking or chemical odors, can mask the smell of natural gas.
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.
Keep in mind that, if the smell is faint, this is not necessarily a cause for alarm — it's perfectly normal for a natural gas smell to linger if you're lighting your stove or when the pilot light for one of your appliances goes out.
The Short Answer Is: It is not normal to smell gas near your furnace. The presence of a gas odor can indicate a potentially dangerous gas leak, which should be taken seriously.
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.
Yes, a slow gas leak can cause chronic health conditions, including respiratory problems and lethargy or fatigue. It may also affect your psychological health, resulting in anxiety, nervousness, and restlessness.
If there is a gas smell but no leaks, it could be the lingering propane odor due to poor ventilation or it coming from your neighbor. The dirty sewage system, contaminated well, or rotten garbage (like veggies, dead animals, residual foods, etc.) might also be the source of the smell.
They can even go on for months undetected. But if there's a significant amount of gas escaping from your system, it can cause a spike in your gas bill.
If you smell a sulfur or rotten-egg-like odor, you could have a gas leak. Natural gas is naturally colorless and odorless. We add an odorant called mercaptan to natural gas, which gives it a distinctive smell. In some cases, you can also identify natural gas by sight or sound.
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.
Rotten Egg Odors
Natural gas and propane have a distinctive smell for a reason. For safety purposes, utility companies use an additive called mercaptan that gives colorless and odorless gases a smell that is hard to miss. Most people describe this smell as something like rotten eggs, sewage, or sulfur.
If you smell gas, particularly if you find that the source is your furnace, you should immediately leave the home and contact emergency services. Whether the source is a gas leak, a carbon monoxide leak, or an electrical issue the potential for a serious issue is too great to ignore.