New Furnace & Water Heater Today - Smell Gas

**Jeremy** · 08-27-2009, 02:27 PM

I had a new furnace installed yesterday and a new water heater today. They had to rerun the gas lines in the house.

Anyways, I don't smell any gas up in the living area but if I go down in the room with the equipment, I smell a little gas.

Should I worry or is it something that goes away after a few hours of burning?

**isucyfan** · 08-27-2009, 02:31 PM

I can sometimes smell a small amount of gas when I go into our basement, too, and I believe this is normal. It's not an overpowering smell, just very slight. It's good to make sure it's OK, though!

**RandomFan** · 08-27-2009, 02:32 PM

Good thing you brought ChisMWilliams on board, just in case

How large is said room? And how strong is the gas odor?

**pulse** · 08-27-2009, 02:33 PM

I'd sniff around just to see if its stronger in a certain area, like fittings. Make sure there isn't a leak anywhere. If they reran it, it certainly could be from that.

**Cyclonepride** · 08-27-2009, 02:35 PM

I don't think it takes very much to cause a noticeable smell, but I'd certainly keep tabs on it. Could be just residual from making the connections. I don't think you should smell it later if it's just leftovers.

**clones26** · 08-27-2009, 02:36 PM

did you fart?

**Jeremy** · 08-27-2009, 02:37 PM

Thanks guys... I had the same thoughts.

**DaddyMac** · 08-27-2009, 02:37 PM

I have a small scent of gas in our basement too. But I know I have a small leak in one of the joints.

Can you air out your basement? Do it - then see if you can still smell gas over the next few days. If you can get close where you think it may be coming from - take some dish soap over the joints of the pipes. If you got a leak, the soap will bubble.

I don't think you should really smell anything from the OPERATION of the water heater.

**bobh33** · 08-27-2009, 02:38 PM

Call MidAmerican Energy right away. No need to panic, but no need not to have it checked out. They respond as fast as they can and walk through the whole house with their detector. If they find anything that they can't fix, they will shut off the gas and have you call your plumber/furnace man.
The service is free.

**DevilDog** · 08-27-2009, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

I had a new furnace installed yesterday and a new water heater today. They had to rerun the gas lines in the house.

Anyways, I don't smell any gas up in the living area but if I go down in the room with the equipment, I smell a little gas.

Should I worry or is it something that goes away after a few hours of burning?

Didn't the local gas company have to come and inspect the lines for leaks after they were run yesterday?

**SImpsonCy** · 08-27-2009, 02:39 PM

you can take liquid dish soap and put it with water and then apply that to the fittings and lines, if you see any bubbles popping up, you need to turn off the gas and leave. if you are really concerened I do believe you can call Mid American and they will come out and check for leaks.

**cycloneworld** · 08-27-2009, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by bobh33

Call MidAmerican Energy right away. No need to panic, but no need not to have it checked out. They respond as fast as they can and walk through the whole house with their detector. If they find anything that they can't fix, they will shut off the gas and have you call your plumber/furnace man.
The service is free.

This. MidAmerican will do this for free. And if you paid someone to put the new furnace and water heater in, they will have to come back and fix it with no cost to you. You might as well take advantage of this now rather than wait for several months and then realize there is a leak. The contractor may not come back to repair things for free.

**tube1** · 08-27-2009, 02:46 PM

1. Turn off your water heater. If there is a leak, you don't need any unnecessary sparks.
2. Call your gas provider (MidAmerican or whomever). They will check it out for free and they take this very seriously.

Not worth the risk. Who would so graciously pad our CyBookie pockets if something happened to you? Obviously a joke. We like you around here.

**Cyclones_R_GR8** · 08-27-2009, 02:59 PM

I have a gas water heater and furnace. I work out in my basement about 10 feet from both and have never smelt a hint of gas. I would get the guy back out to determine if there is a problem.

**jtaconutz** · 08-27-2009, 03:02 PM

You should not be having a noticable gas odor on a brand new furnace or water heater. Call your HVAC contractor and they will have someone come over and check it out. It probably has a connection that needs another turn and it won't take them 5 minutes to resolve it.
Always be overly careful with gas.