What to Do If You Smell Gas Near Your Furnace

December 19, 2025

Natural gas furnaces heat homes efficiently, but they also require careful attention. This is especially true if you notice unusual odors. A gas smell near your furnace demands immediate action because the situation can escalate quickly. You can stay safe by recognizing warning signs early, responding quickly, and having a professional inspect your system before you restart it. Recognizing the Smell of Natural Gas You rarely smell natural gas when it is in its pure form because it lacks any noticeable odor. Gas companies add an unmistakable sulfur-like scent called mercaptan so you can detect leaks right away. When you notice that rotten-egg smell near your furnace, you should treat it as a serious warning. The odor often drifts through basements, utility closets, and mechanical rooms because these spaces are enclosed, allowing the smell to build up quickly. Why Gas Leaks Happen Around Furnaces A furnace relies on several connections, valves, and ignition components that handle natural gas. Any breakdown in these parts can release gas into your home. Older furnaces can develop worn seals or cracked fittings. Rust can form on burners or heat exchangers. Vibrations during operation can loosen joints over time. Even newer systems can leak gas...

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Tracking Down the Cause of Your Heater’s Burning Smell

December 20, 2021

Fire is a risk that should be taken seriously by every homeowner in San Antonio. That’s why it’s natural to be concerned when you notice a burning smell coming from your furnace. By better understanding your furnace, you’ll be able to get a good feel for whether or not you should be concerned when you encounter this disconcerting odor. Here are a few tips from to help put your mind at ease. How a Furnace Operates To understand the potential cause of a burning smell in your furnace, it’s important to understand how your furnace operates. When your thermostat calls for heat, the heating cycle initiates. First, if you have a gas furnace, the draft inducer will turn on, ensuring that any harmful gases stay out of your living area. Then, the burner will ignite, firing up the heat exchanger. When the heat exchanger reaches the correct temperature, the blower fan will turn on, pushing cold air over the exchanger so that the temperature of the air rises as it’s distributed throughout your home. Any of these individual components can potentially have a malfunction that can lead to a burning smell. New-Season Shock By far, the most common cause of...

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How Often Should My Furnace Be Replaced?

November 29, 2018

Keeping your furnace in good working condition is the best way to ensure it has a long lifespan. Regular service and inspections keep it working efficiently and prevents the need for costly repairs. In some cases though, you will need to completely replace the unit if it is old or has significant damage as a result of neglect over time. So, how do you know when it’s time to replace the furnace? The Average Life Span In most cases, if the unit has had the proper installation and service over its lifetime, the average furnace can last anywhere from 18 to 20 years. This number is estimated and can vary depending on size, location, brand, and climate. The more you use the furnace, the less life the unit will have. People living in areas where the climate is very cold will need to replace their furnace more often than people living in a mild climate. If you want to get the most life out of your unit, schedule yearly inspections and maintenance services from a reputable company like Rosenberg HVAC in San Antonio, TX. Replacing Your Unit Some of the signs that it may be time to replace your furnace...

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How to Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

October 15, 2018

With weather conditions pushing the extremes in the summer and winter in recent years, a lot of folks are worried that their heating and cooling bills could become unmanageable. Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Here are some of the best ways to keep conformable all year long without breaking the bank. Upgrade your Heater and Air Conditioner Chances are your HVAC system is as old as your home is. In houses over twenty years old, with the original heating and air conditioning systems, energy efficiency will tend to hover around 70% at best. That means, in the best case scenario, you can improve your heating and cooling bills by more than 25% simply by installing a new system. Insulate the Attic In most locations, winter is the more expensive time of year for utilities. As you know, heat travels upward. This means if your attic or loft isn’t well insulated, you’re going to lose most of your heat treated air through the roof. By adding insulation to your attic, you’ll seal in that valuable heat and reduce your heating bills dramatically. Get an Energy Consultation Your local Seattle heating and cooling experts at Brennan...

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