How To Check for Gas Leaks on a Furnace?

A gas furnace uses natural gas to heat your home. If your heating system has seen better days or doesn’t receive proper maintenance, then it’s highly likely to have a gas leak. Such leaks usually occur in furnace cracks and gas valves, and they can be disastrous. 

Your technician can check for cracks during your annual furnace maintenance service and recommend the best course of action. In the meantime, you should know how to check for gas leaks on a furnace and call an emergency HVAC company before things get out of control. 

In this blog post, we take a deeper look at furnace gas leak signs and what you should do when you suspect that your unit is leaking. 

Three Top Signs That Your Furnace Is Leaking Gas

Learning how to check for gas leaks on a furnace starts with knowing the signs.

1. Rotten Egg Smell

Natural gas is colorless and odorless. This means that you can’t detect it on its own. Gas companies solve this problem by adding a chemical called mercaptan to natural gas. 

This chemical smells like rotten eggs, so if you notice a rotten egg smell around your home, the chances are that you have a gas leak somewhere in the house. 

A mild smell often indicates a minor leak, and you should try tracing the source of the smell. Once you figure out the smell’s origin, wait a few seconds to see if it disappears. If the smell lingers in your home for more than a few minutes, call a certified HVAC technician to inspect your system. 

You’ll usually smell natural gas for a few seconds after you turn your gas burner or furnace on. If the smell disappears almost immediately, then you shouldn’t worry much about it. However, if the smell continues to hang around in your space, don’t hesitate to shut off the gas supply and don’t open it until a professional has inspected it and given it a clean bill of health. 

If you notice a strong rotten egg smell throughout your house, take action as fast as possible. Open as many windows as you can to help the gas dissipate and minimize the risk of an explosion. Then, get everyone out of the house.

Once you and your loved ones are a safe distance from the house, contact the gas company or the fire department and inform them about the gas leak. Stay out of your home until the professionals have inspected and repaired the leak. 

If you notice a smell of natural gas outside your house, the gas supply coming into the meter could be leaking. This is another issue you can’t play down. Vacate the property, and don’t return until the gas company turns your gas off and fixes the leak. 

2. Yellow Pilot Flame

The pilot flame on your furnace should always burn blue. If you see the flames turning yellow or orange, it often indicates that your system is emitting dangerous carbon monoxide gas. In that case, you should call your local HVAC technician or gas company immediately. 

3. Hissing Noises

Besides the smell of rotten eggs, you’re also likely to hear a hissing noise if your furnace gas supply system is leaking. The hissing sound often indicates a major leak. To avert a disaster, close the gas valve and schedule an inspection immediately. 

Common Physical Symptoms You Might Experience

Our guide on how to check for gas leaks on a furnace can’t be complete without mentioning that a gas leak can expose you to various health issues and, even worse, death. Here are just a few symptoms you might experience as a result of natural gas or carbon monoxide exposure:

• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Increased fatigue or drowsiness
• Ear, nose, and throat irritation
• Nausea, headaches, and other flu-like symptoms
• Nosebleeding
• Chest pains
• Poor appetite
• Ringing in the ears
• Mood changes

How To Handle a Gas Leak Situation

A gas leak is a grave issue that can adversely impact the health of your loved ones and pets and compromise the overall safety of your property. So, what should you do if you suspect a gas leak from your furnace? 

Follow these three simple steps:

1. Evacuate: Get your family, pets, and yourself out of the house immediately. Ensure you leave all windows and doors open when you leave your home. 
2. Call 911: After safely evacuating your home, call 911 or your local utility company as soon as possible. 
3. Professional inspection: A qualified and certified technician will visit your home to inspect your system and determine the problem. You can return once the professionals confirm it’s safe to do so. 

Why Professional Furnace Inspection and Maintenance Is Important

You can use your furnace for years without experiencing a leak. However, the risk of leaks increases if you don’t invest in regular inspection and maintenance of your furnace and other gas appliances. 

A professional furnace inspection service entails examining your gas supply lines and gas lines in your unit to ensure they’re in excellent condition. The technician will also examine the furnace and the blower fan before giving them a thorough cleaning. This helps prevent various furnace problems, reduce HVAC noise, and optimize your system’s energy efficiency. 

During inspection, your technician can also determine whether the heat exchanger and exhaust flue are working as they should. A defective exhaust flue or cracked heat exchanger can cause carbon monoxide to fill your home, putting your loved ones' lives at risk.

We recommend having a carbon monoxide detector not more than 20 feet from your furnace and other gas-burning appliances. You should also test your detectors regularly to ensure they’re working properly and get a replacement every 10 years. 

Contact Your Local HVAC Company for Assistance

Even if you know how to check for gas leaks on a furnace, you should always seek help from a qualified professional. Fortunately, our team at Fast Air Repair offers high-quality heating and cooling services throughout Ocala, Florida. 

Call Fast Air Repair at 352-290-7968 to schedule a service or to find out if you can replace a gas furnace with an electric one.