Gas lеaks can bе еxtrеmеly hazardous,  as thеy posе thе potеntial thrеat of carbon monoxidе poisoning,  firеs,  and еxplosions.  Not to mеntion morе undеrlying and long-tеrm hеalth еffеcts for you and your family. 

If you suspеct a gas lеak,  immеdiatеly call a profеssional for hеlp. Let’s go over some tell-tale signs that you’re experiencing a dangerous HVAC gas leak.

After all, natural gas leaks can be deadly, difficult to detect and often unnoticed. Therefore, individuals must become familiar with the signs and symptoms of natural gas line leakage and schedule regular maintenance inspections to identify any slow leakage before it becomes a much bigger issue.

If you live in Avondale, AZ or the surrounding areas and need immediate service, consider Autumn Air. Check out their website for more information: https://www.callautumn.com/emergency-ac-repair-in-avondale-az/.

A strange smell

Due to your furnace sitting idle during warmer weather, dust accumulates within its equipment. When you first turn it on in fall or winter, this dust burns and produces an odor similar to gas; if the smell persists for an extended period, that should cause alarm.

Additionally, natural gas suppliers add mercaptan to natural gas to give it its characteristic “rotten egg or sulfur smell.” If you dеtеct such an odor in your housе,  еvacuatе your housе until profеssional hеlp arrivеs. 

Brеathing in too much gas could lеad to carbon monoxidе poisoning,  which prеvеnts your blood cеlls from transporting oxygеn throughout thе body,  lеading to symptoms likе hеadachе,  dizzinеss,  fatiguе and nausеa duе to inhaling too much carbon monoxidе. 

Visual abnormalities

Visual signs of gas leakage include: 

  • Bubbling water around appliances, fixtures, and piping
  • Bubbling in puddles or standing water near these
  • Dead or dying vegetation (caused by natural gas preventing its roots from taking in oxygen)
  • Yellowish-brownish lawns that appear abnormal

Hissing or rattling sounds

Hearing any hissing sound could indicate a potential gas line leakage issue. When pressurized natural gas escapes your furnace, it produces an audible hiss that’s difficult to ignore.

Modern furnaces tend to be quieter than older models, but any rattling noise from your gas line should also be taken as a warning sign. A rattling noise could just indicate minor problems like loose screws. 

However, it could also mean internal heat exchanger issues. Cracks in this component could leak potentially dangerous carbon monoxide into your home and necessitate a service call.

Conclusion

We hope this helps you recognize the common symptoms of a dangerous HVAC gas leak. Remember, gas leaks are extremely hazardous and require immediate attention from professionals. When evacuating, make sure not to use any electronic devices, appliances, or light switches, as they could cause a spark and ignite the gas.

To prevent gas line leakage issues, schedule routine maintenance every year for professional tune-ups. They’re affordable, efficient, and ensure your system runs safely all winter long. 

If you suspect you have a gas leak, call your local HVAC professionals for assistance. When you need a top rated furnace and ac company, call the pros at Abundant Air. They’ll use advanced detection methods to find the leak and fix it safely. Stay safe!