What You Should Do If You Smell Gas Coming From Your Furnace

If you smell gas coming from your furnace or your CO2 alarm is going off in your home, it's something you shouldn't mess around with. You should have your gas turned off immediately and you should contact your local gas company right away about this leak to have a leak check done in order to ensure you and your family are safe. If you have a leak coming from your furnace, there are things you can do once it's clear that your home is safe. Read on for some helpful information.

Check The Gas Line

The gas line connected to your furnace may be where the leak is coming from. Using soap bubbles, you may be able to tell where the leak is exactly and have the leak repaired by a professional HVAC contractor. If you suspect this is where the gas leak is located, you should call an HVAC company to have this repaired, unless you are handy with gas lines and are comfortable making the repair yourself. If this is the case, a new gas line may need to be installed.

Inspect The Heat Exchanger

If you have a gas leak, the problem may be a cracked heat exchanger. If this is the case, you may also have noticed the flame on your heater was different, or you may have noticed other signs, such as odd odors or a crack in your unit. If you suspect that you have a cracked heat exchanger, you need to have your furnace repaired or replaced as necessary. If you have an older unit, you should have your unit replaced altogether, as a repair may be much more costly than having a new unit installed. 

Inspect The Burners

The burner on your furnace may need to be cleaned if you smell gas odors. Inspect the pilot and the burner to see if they are covered in soot. You should give these a good cleaning before you restart your furnace. If there is a lot of soot, it may not be burning properly, so make any necessary adjustments to the pilot as well. 

If you have the smell of gas coming from your furnace, you need to have the gas turned off immediately, then inspect your furnace. If you aren't sure what you're looking for, contact a professional heating service to help you make the necessary repairs to your system to ensure you and your family are safe.