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.
Each time when the heating unit cycles on, it emits a small amount of natural gas. Don't worry, this emission is normal. However, if you frequently notice the strong gas smell when your heating unit cycles on, you must turn off the unit. Because it indicates that it has a gas leak.
If you smell a bit of natural gas when your furnace or dryer kicks on, that can be normal. But if you are smelling it throughout the furnace or dryer being on or any other time, that's a leak. Either at a connection or the continued output is not all being burned.
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.
Many adverse health effects of gasoline are due to individual chemicals in gasoline, mainly BTEX, that are present in small amounts. Breathing small amounts of gasoline vapors can lead to nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and breathing difficulties.
A natural gas leak in a house can cause potential fires, and inhaling the gas can cause natural gas poisoning. As with electricity, gasoline and other potentially dangerous energy sources, natural gas exposure must be handled with care.
Popping or banging: These noises are often caused by the expansion and contraction of metal components as the heater heats up or cools down. While some level of this noise is normal, excessive or sudden popping and banging could signal an issue.
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.
One of the most important parts of the gas heater service is a carbon monoxide check to ensure your heater is not affecting your health. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause headaches, fatigue, and can even kill you. So if you are using gas heaters, ensure you get them serviced regularly by a qualified gas fitter.
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.
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.
That means you should take necessary precautions when you smell gas from your furnace. It's not normal to smell gas near a furnace unless the unit is faulty. If you smell a faint gas smell near the unit when it's running, it's probably nothing to stress about.
If you smell mold or mildew after turning on your heater, treat it like burning dust — first, wait for it to burn off on its own. If it doesn't burn off, then try changing out your air filters. If the musty smell is still around, call a local professional.
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.
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.
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.
The most common cause of a burning smell in a heater is dust. If you turn off your furnace or heating unit during the warmer months, it will collect dust. When this dust builds up on components like the heat exchanger or burners, your heater will emit a burning smell when you turn it on again.
Normal Furnace Noises
Sometimes there is a little bit of a pop or click as the furnace fires up, then the heating system settles into a dull hum as it runs. Think of it like the click you hear when you turn on the burner on a gas stove.
The air filter is clogged: If the air filter for your heater is clogged, it may lead to the sound of hissing. What you are hearing is the sound of air forcing its way through a multitude of dust and debris. This is the easiest issue to deal with. Just make sure to change your filter every few months!
If you smell a natural gas odor, hear the hissing sound of gas escaping or see other signs of a leak: IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE the area, and from a safe location either call 911 or SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.
The acceptable leak rate does vary depending on whether the source is domestic or commercial, but a leak rate of 0.000 5 m3/h per m3 of space is generally acceptable in well ventilated areas.