Gas Smell from Furnace
EmergencyOdor of natural gas around furnace or in home.
Natural gas is odorized with mercaptan so leaks are detectable. Any strong or persistent gas smell should be treated as an emergency. Leave the home without creating sparks and call your gas utility. Minor odors at furnace startup may be dust burning off, but repeated occurrences need investigation.
Symptoms to Look For
Possible Causes
What You Can Check
Before calling for service, try these safe checks that may resolve simple issues:
When to Call a Professional
Strong or persistent gas smell is an emergency. Leave the home and call your gas utility emergency line immediately. Do not attempt to diagnose or repair gas issues yourself.
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Prevention Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I smell gas?
If the smell is strong, leave immediately without using light switches or anything that could create a spark. Call your gas utility emergency line from outside. Do not re-enter until cleared by professionals.
Is a slight gas smell at furnace startup normal?
A brief faint smell when the furnace first ignites can be dust burning off, especially early in heating season. Strong, persistent, or worsening odors are not normal and need investigation.
Can a cracked heat exchanger cause gas smell?
Not directly, but it can allow combustion gases including carbon monoxide into your home. This is extremely dangerous even without smelling gas. Annual inspection catches heat exchanger problems.
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