Ways to Determine If Your Furnace Is Leaking Gas
It’s a serious situation when a furnace starts leaking gas. Learning about furnace leaks and why they happen can help you protect everyone in your household.
How to Tell If Your Furnace Is Leaking Gas
One of the most obvious signs of a gas leak is the presence of a particular smell. When a furnace has a gas leak, it sends an odor of rotten eggs into the air. Some people compare this odor to sulfur. Though natural gas doesn’t actually have an odor, manufacturers put a chemical called mercaptan into the mixture to make leaks more obvious. This chemical creates the odor of rotting eggs.
A second sign of a leaking furnace is a hissing sound coming from the unit. Even if the gas is coming through a pinhole-sized leak, it’s likely to make some level of noise. You may hear it while standing near the furnace or near a vent in your home.
Another way to tell if you have gas leaking from your furnace is by looking at your houseplants. Houseplants have a fairly fast reaction to natural gas in the area. Natural gas coming through the vents of your home quickly chokes the oxygen supply to your plants. Wilting and dying plants can be an indication of a gas leak.
People can experience a variety of symptoms when there’s a gas leak in a home. Some examples include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Extreme sleepiness
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
These symptoms occur with many other conditions, but keep them in mind if you suspect a gas leak. If you do think you have a gas leak in your home, turn off the HVAC system and open some windows. Then, quickly leave your home and call the gas company.
Ways to Avoid Furnace Leaks
Though not all gas leaks are preventable, you can take some action to protect yourself. One thing you can do is arrange for regular maintenance of your HVAC system. Specifically, having your gas furnace inspected on a regular basis can help to prevent leaks.
What Happens During a Gas Furnace Inspection?
During a gas furnace inspection, a heating pro examines the unit’s heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is where your gas furnace creates the warm air that flows through your air ducts. The sides of a metal heat exchanger expand and contract during the combustion process. Not surprisingly, the wear and tear of this component can sometimes lead to a leak. The HVAC technician visually examines the heat exchanger, then runs a test to check for leaks.
Inspecting a furnace also includes examining the furnace ignitor, flue pipes, and vents in search of cracks or damage. Cleaning the gas burners and changing the filter are other steps in a thorough inspection.
Furnace maintenance and regular inspections can allow a technician to spot issues before they result in a gas leak. When you have a trusted heating pro inspect your gas furnace, you have someone to call if there’s an issue. Plus, if a question comes up, you can get answers from a technician who is familiar with your gas furnace.
Invest in a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Installing a carbon monoxide detector is an easy thing to do and can offer peace of mind to your household. These detectors are available in hardware stores and can be very simple to install. You can even buy a detector that monitors for both smoke and carbon monoxide.
For 60-plus years, BELOMAN has been providing dependable heating and cooling services in Belleville and the surrounding area. Our NATE-certified technicians have the training and experience necessary to inspect and maintain your gas furnace. We want you to enjoy a warm atmosphere while having peace of mind about the condition of your home’s furnace.
Our experienced company has a large selection of other HVAC services besides gas furnace maintenance. We also install and repair furnaces along with installing, repairing, and maintaining air conditioning systems. We also provide plumbing services, including repairs and maintenance work, as well as drain cleaning. Our company can help you to improve the air quality in your home with a new purification system, filters, air duct cleaning, and more. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and reliable work.
To schedule a gas furnace inspection in Belleville and the surrounding area, contact BELOMAN today.
