A Gas Smell is a Sign You Need Repairs

You probably know something is wrong if you smell gas in your house. However, you could be curious what the source of the leak is. Please call emergency services, and then we can tell you if and how much repair work is needed for your heater. To put it bluntly, a gas leak in your home is nothing to mess with. Now that you and your family are safe, you can find out what malfunction in the heating system led to the gas leak.

Why Do I Smell Gas?

Is there a gas smell in the house? If so, did you call the technician or other appropriate authorities before leaving the house and coming here? Good for you if you did! Get yourself somewhere safe first if you haven't already!

If you have a natural gas furnace, gas leaks aren't something you should expect to happen frequently. The design and construction of modern furnaces prioritize user safety and long service life. However, there is the potential for gas leakage from this setup. A cracked heat exchanger is the main culprit in this case.

What is a Cracked Heat Exchanger?
The combustion gases enter your furnace through the heat exchanger. The metal heat exchanger will warm up as the gases pass over it, releasing their thermal energy into the ambient air before entering the dwelling.

A cracked heat exchanger can cause serious issues quickly. When the heat exchanger warms up, the metal expands a little bit, and that's what opens the cracks. The combustion gases can then escape into the air blown into your home.

There are two key reasons for this problem:

• Less heat: The leakages of these gases from the exchanger might slow down the rate at which heat is produced.
• Health dangers: Carbon monoxide is one example of a combustion gas you don't want in the air around your house.

Addressing a Leaking Furnace
So, let's say you are standing outside your home because you smell gas while running your furnace. Your next question will probably be, "What do I do now?" Well, once an emergency professional checks your home and clears it for re-entry, you want to reach out for repairs ASAP. Don't turn your heater back on until after a professional get it back into working order. The sooner you get your furnace fixed the better off and safer you will be.

When you need professional repairs in the Washington County area, you can contact Best Owner Direct HVAC. We even provide emergency services because furnace issues rarely occur when it is most convenient.