Is It Normal to Smell Gas Near a Furnace?

March 16, 2021

Winter nights in Las Cruces, NM, can be downright frigid. You’ll need a reliable furnace to keep your home warm. Most of the time, furnaces operate without any issues. However, you might notice a smell of natural gas if you’re standing next to the furnace. This might give you cause for alarm. Here’s what you need to know about when the odor of natural gas is and isn’t something to be concerned about. Gas Odor When Heating Cycle Starts It’s normal to smell the odor of natural gas for a couple of seconds at the start of a heating cycle. The gas supply valve releases the gas, and it takes the ignition or pilot a fraction of a second to ignite it. Once the gas is steadily burning, the gas odor goes away. Odor Persists During Heating Cycle If the foul odor of natural gas persists during the entire heating cycle, this isn’t normal. Your furnace may have a problem with the combustion process, combustion chamber, or flue. There could also be a problem with the gas supply, ignition, or pilot. You should get everyone out of your home and make a call for emergency furnace repair services. Gas Odor...

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