A Rotten Egg Smell When Turning on a Gas Heater

Natural Gas

• Natural gas is one of the most common forms of energy for powering heaters and stoves. The gas usually enters your home through a series of pipes and connections. The joints in the pipes, as well as the components in gas appliances, are common areas for leaks. An odor coming from your heater may result from an extinguished pilot light, although a faulty component or a small leak may be to blame.

Furnace

• Furnaces that run on gas use a flame to burn the gas. Furnaces and heaters require periodic upkeep and cleaning to keep them running at their optimal efficiency. Natural gas and carbon monoxide from a faulty heater may pose a risk to you and your family. Carbon monoxide has no odor.

Odor

• Natural gas is odorless by itself. Gas companies and municipalities add a chemical known as mercaptan to your gas to give it a distinctive odor that can warn you of a leak. The smell may occur when you first turn on the furnace or after it has been running.

Precautions

• A very faint odor of rotten eggs often occurs when the pilot light goes out. Relighting the pilot usually gets rid of this slight smell. A strong odor of rotten eggs means you should leave your home right away. Don’t use telephones, light switches, matches or a flashlight. Take your family and go to neighbor’s house or yard to call your gas company. Do not return to your home until gas company personnel investigate and repair the problem.