If you think you can smell gas at home, address the problem immediately. Gas companies add chemicals to the supply so you can identify the smell of gas as soon as it leaks into your home’s air. During the wintertime, your family will use the HVAC system and water heater more than any other time of year. Here’s how to troubleshoot a gas leak and take quick action to avoid risks for your family.
Instant Action When You Smell Gas
The first thing to do when you smell gas is make sure your family isn’t in immediate danger. Alert everyone at home that there should be no lighting of candles, turning on appliances or even flicking on a light switch. Every gas company serving Dunwoody, Peachtree City, Senoia and other Atlanta communities offers guidance on what number to call when you smell gas.
Once you are sure that no one is making any type of spark at home, open the windows to allow the gas to escape the indoor airstream. If you are having trouble reaching your gas company, you can contact Reliable Heating & Air team members 24/7 for guidance on turning off the gas and identifying the problem.
A Gas Leak and Carbon Monoxide Dangers
Another cause for concern when you smell gas is how your HVAC system or water heater is malfunctioning. You’ll have a harder time identifying the presence of carbon monoxide because you won’t be able to smell it. Check the sensors that come standard in most homes to see if the system is working and whether you have battery power in your carbon monoxide detector. Gas fireplaces, popular during wintertime in homes without a traditional fireplace, often leak carbon monoxide when they malfunction.
Dizziness, headaches and trouble breathing are all symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and prolonged exposure without ventilation can be fatal to humans and pets alike. HVAC professional inspections will help you be certain that your gas appliances are working properly.
HVAC Tuneups for Winter
When you have a tuneup for your HVAC system in winter, technicians will check to make sure that your air supply is free of dangerous gases. Each element of the system will be inspected for efficiency, and the heating system filter will be replaced. In more thorough checkups, HVAC pros will also look into the state of your plumbing as well as your water heater to make sure your entire home comfort system is working properly.
In some situations, an older water heater will need its pilot light lit manually. When the pilot light goes out, you may have gas leaking into your home. Other water heater issues, such as a lack of hot water, low temperatures or a small hot water supply, can be fixed when you have a pro on hand to inspect the equipment regularly. For larger families who want to end concerns about hot water for good, tankless water heaters are an attractive solution.
A gas leak in your home is never something to take lightly. Find out how Reliable Heating & Air can keep your home working at peak efficiency every day of the year. Whenever you sense a problem, Reliable’s 24/7 emergency service is available to help.
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