Why do I smell gas in my house but no one else does?

Sulfur is often the cause of a gas smell in homes without gas leaks. It smells identical to the foul rotten odor of gas leaks, but it’s not nearly as harmful in this case. Bacteria found in sewage systems or your kitchen sink release sulfur over time, causing the smell to permeate your home.

Is it normal to smell a little gas near furnace?

Regular Gas Emissions It’s normal for gas furnaces to emit small amounts of gas when cycling on. If you occasionally detect a faint gas odor near the furnace during this cycle, you don’t have anything to worry about. However, if you frequently smell gas throughout your home, your furnace could have a dangerous leak.

What does it mean when your furnace smells like rotten eggs?

If you notice a rotten egg or sulfur smell after turning on your furnace, this is a very serious concern. Natural gas is odorless, so a harmless chemical (mercaptan) is added to give natural gas an odor, so you can easily detect a gas leak. Most people would describe the odor as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur.

Does a gas leak always smell like rotten eggs?

Natural gas is an efficient, safe, colorless and odorless gas. For easy detection, we add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give gas a distinctive odor. Most people describe the smell as rotten eggs or hydrogen sulfide like odor….Blog Archive.

What can cause a rotten egg smell in your house?

Rotten Eggs The two most common sources for rotten egg smell in the home are electrical components (inside of outlets for example) or a natural gas leak. Natural gas manufacturers are required to add a chemical, called mercaptan, to their gas in order to make it easier to detect a leak.

How can you tell if your furnace is leaking gas?

Sulfur Smell: If you smell sulfur or rotten eggs in your home, there’s a strong possibility that your furnace could be leaking gas. Hissing Sounds: If you notice a hissing sound coming from around your gas furnace, this can be a sign that your unit is leaking gas.

Does carbon monoxide detect gas leak?

Ultimately, no, a carbon monoxide detector cannot detect a natural gas leak. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas created when fuel is burned in the presence of low levels of oxygen. Carbon monoxide is very different from methane and cannot be detected with the same sensor.

What to do if you smell gas from your furnace?

First and foremost – if there is a strong smell of gas throughout your home, or if you hear hissing, turn off your furnace and get everyone out of your home. Immediately contact your local gas company or emergency responders. This could be the sign of a gas leak.

Why does my furnace smell like rotten eggs?

Methyl mercaptan is also colorless, but it creates a very powerful odor similar to rotten eggs or cabbage. The only time you should smell rotten eggs in your home is when there’s a gas leak. If you suddenly get a strong whiff of this highly unpleasant odor after you’ve started your furnace, shut it down and exit your home immediately.

What does it mean when your furnace smells like sulfur?

If there is a chemical smell coming from your furnace call a HVAC professional immediately for a heating service appointment. Heating system smells that smell like rotten eggs or sulfur indicates a natural gas leak. Natural gas is odorless.

What should I do if my furnace smells like gas?

If you suddenly get a strong whiff of this highly unpleasant odor after you’ve started your furnace, shut it down and exit your home immediately. Once you’re safely outside, call the local gas company or fire department to shut off your home’s gas supply and trace the source of the leak.

How do I know if my furnace is blowing out gas?

You may also smell a faint gas smell when the furnace kicks on. If it goes away, it’s probably not a big deal but might be worth getting checked out. Lastly, you might smell gas blowing back in the window. This is a good sign; it means the gas is being distributed out but the wind is kicking it back in.