When you first turn your furnace on during the start of the cold season, it’s completely normal to smell a little gas. However, if you continue to smell this odor as your furnace runs or the scent gets stronger as you approach the appliance, there may be a gas leak. A gas leak equals an increased risk of fire and explosion in your home, so call the gas company as soon as possible to get the leak taken care of.

Gas leaks can occur at any time for a variety of different reasons, but if you call in a professional to do regular heating furnace maintenance, it’s possible to catch this issue before it turns into a major- or deadly- problem. Heating professionals inspect your furnace for cracks and problems with the gas line, then make any necessary repairs before any leaks can start infiltrating your home.

You Hear Strange Noises

Furnaces make some noise while it’s running, but certain sounds signal a need for professional help. These include rattling, popping, banging, or squealing. If you hear banging, this could be a sign that there is a problem with your ignitor. Squealing could indicate an issue with the motor or fan, including belts going bad and getting ready to break. Popping sounds could be coming from the ductwork. This may not mean something is wrong, especially if you have metal ducts. As the material heats and cools, it will expand and contract, and “pop” in the process.

However, if the popping is growing louder- and a whistling sound accompanies the popping- then something serious may be going on. Have a professional inspect your ducts to determine exactly what the issue is and get it fixed. Also, if your furnace is making sounds that you haven’t heard before, call in a professional to uncover the issue.

Issues With Your Pilot Light

The pilot light on your gas furnace could be an indicator that your appliance needs repairs. Your pilot light should appear blue and it always remain on. This lets you know that it’s getting enough oxygen. If the light flickers, keeps going out or is any color other than blue, this could be a sign that something is wrong. This is especially true if the flame appears to be yellow or has some yellow mixed in with the blue.

The pilot light may change colors or flicker because of ventilation issues. If there is a clog in the air intake valve, the furnace won’t receive the oxygen it needs to run optimally. There could also be an issue with how well the system is dissipating carbon dioxide. If the flame is too weak, it won’t be able to burn off this gas like it’s supposed to. When that happens, it could get into your home where it can cause a variety of health problems- and potentially death.