When you need to ensure that your furnace in Columbia, SC is operating properly and safely, you need to turn to professionals like the ones on our team. Professional technicians like ours are going to be thorough when they service your furnace to ensure that no potential issue is left unchecked or unaddressed.
We know how careful we have to be with gas-powered furnaces. Why? Because we’ve all seen the results and heard stories about times when a furnace went from faulty to dangerous when the person performing services for it wasn’t careful enough.
Your safety and comfort is our priority. That’s why we want you to know what can cause the smell of gas and how to handle the situation safely.
“Why Am I Smelling Gas?”
If you notice the smell of gas in your home, it is a good idea to ask this question! This isn’t a normal thing to smell especially in your home. That distinct “rotten egg” smell should serve as a warning that there is a problem with your gas-powered furnace.
What might cause your furnace to leak gas? Here are three possible reasons that your furnace may be allowing gas to escape into your home:
- Cracked heat exchanger: This is a big issue for your furnace. When a crack develops in the heat exchanger of your furnace, it will allow the combustion gases that it is supposed to hold to escape into your home. This will slow down the heating process and, of course, allow toxic gases into your home which can be dangerous for your health.
- A leak in the gas line: Another issue that may allow gas to leak into your home is a problem with the actual gas line connection to your furnace. If this line is wearing down it may develop holes or leaks. Likewise, if the installation was done by an inexperienced individual, the connection may not be as solid as it should be, allowing for gas leaks.
- Delayed burner ignition: Last but not least, an issue with the ignition of your burners can lead to the build-up and possible escape of gas. When your furnace runs, the burners should ignite quickly, burning away the gas that is feeding them. But if there is a problem with ignition, gas will be allowed to build up in the system until the burners eventually ignite. This can create a booming noise along with the smell of gas in the area around the furnace.
What to Do
Whatever the cause of the smell, you need to address any gas leak as quickly as possible. If you notice the smell of gas when you run your furnace, shut your system off, leave the house, and call the local gas company. Once the gas company has cleared the problem, reach out to a professional technician for repairs as soon as possible. The sooner you make the call, the better for your safety and your comfort.
Contact Fulmer Heating & Cooling for your furnace services. We’ve been in business for more than 30 years and the quality of our work speaks for itself.