Natural gas smell when heat kicks on

[Silock]

It comes and goes. I only smell it when the heat first comes on, it lasts for a few moments and then disappears. I don't smell anything near the furnace, but instead in the upstairs living room. I've checked that all the vents are open, and the burners are all working inside the furnace. Air filter is clean and replaced.

What am I missing? Should I just bite the bullet and call an HVAC tech?

[Buzz_TinBalls]

Originally Posted by Silock

Igniter is fine. Just watched it. And this time, no smell of gas. Ugh. I'll check the exhaust vent.

that's telling. it's likely carbon build up on that electronic igniter. they sell the igniter assy for a few bucks on most models. maybe go get one and replace it. it's easy -- plug swap, really.

[King_Chief_Fan]

just a guess, but maybe the heat exchanger

[Buzz_TinBalls]

Originally Posted by Bwana

It could be a lot of things. There may be a leak in one of the connecting unions in your gas process line, an exhaust vent issue, or something else.

If you have ANY doubt, call the gas company and tell them you smell gas. They will be out quickly at no charge with a sniffer. I own one that I use for various gas applications at refineries, but that's not going to do you any good being hundreds of miles away. Like I said if you have even the slightest thought there may be a leak, call the gas company.

if there were a gas line leak, the fumes would be omnipresent 24/7.

[houstonwhodat]

We don't need heat in Houston.

It's 80 ****ing degrees down here.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

You could DIY it, or you could call a professional to deal with the atomized explosive potentially invading your living space.

[Stewie]

If there's a leak in the house (which it sounds like there is) the gas company will red-tag the furnace. They'll turn it off and ask you to call an HVAC company to get the problem fixed. Skip the gas company and call a pro.

[Donger]

Pet peeve: you aren't smelling natural gas. NG is odorless. What you are smelling is the odorant that the gas companies put into NG for this very reason.

Call your gas company immediately.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

if there were a gas line leak, the fumes would be omnipresent 24/7.

If it's in a common interior location it should be, but I still wouldn't want to bet my life on it. If by chance there is a leak originating from an exterior location like next to the house, who knows. I break out my equipment about twice a year and sniff the entire system. Better to be safe than dead when it comes to gas.

[58-4ever]

[KC Tattoo]

Originally Posted by Stewie

If there's a leak in the house (which it sounds like there is) the gas company will red-tag the furnace. They'll turn it off and ask you to call an HVAC company to get the problem fixed. Skip the gas company and call a pro.

Yep this too. The place I am buying was vacant for a year and the gas company had me call a pro co to come out and test for leaks and then they sent a guy to varify while they were here. There wasn't any leaks fortunately or I would have had to pay the pro company to fix the problem.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Bwana

It could be a lot of things. There may be a leak in one of the connecting unions in your gas process line, an exhaust vent issue, or something else.

If you have ANY doubt, call the gas company and tell them you smell gas. They will be out quickly at no charge with a sniffer. I own one that I use for various gas applications at refineries, but that's not going to do you any good being hundreds of miles away. Like I said if you have even the slightest thought there may be a leak, call the gas company.

Is it wrong that Bwana is so studly that i kind feel 'crushy' when he talks like this?


Bwana For President!!!!!!!!!!!


oh yea ... and what he said

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Donger

Pet peeve: you aren't smelling natural gas. NG is odorless. What you are smelling is the odorant that the gas companies put into NG for this very reason.

Call your gas company immediately.

I'm aware of that. But it wouldn't fit in the subject line, and would sound a little douchey.

[Buzz_TinBalls]

Originally Posted by Silock

I'm aware of that. But it wouldn't fit in the subject line, and would sound a little douchey.

did ya fix it?

[Silock]

Gas dude is here now. Just a weird interaction between the water heater venting and the furnace being on that overloads the exhaust vent because of the way the vent tees together, which is why it's intermittent. Only happens when the water heater and the furnace are going at the same time.

He told me how to fix it and is just finishing up. No crazy death traps in the house. Sorry to disappoint!

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Silock

Gas dude is here now. Just a weird interaction between the water heater venting and the furnace being on that overloads the exhaust vent because of the way the vent tees together, which is why it's intermittent. Only happens when the water heater and the furnace are going at the same time.

He told me how to fix it and is just finishing up. No crazy death traps in the house. Sorry to disappoint!

Glad to hear everything is cool. I experienced the exact same thing