5 Signs Your Gas Furnace in Knoxville, TN Is Leaking Carbon Monoxide

When a gas furnace leaks carbon monoxide, it is a serious safety hazard because carbon monoxide is poisonous. A leaking gas furnace can create a dangerous health and fire hazard. Here are five signs that your gas furnace in Knoxville, TN is leaking.

1. Unusual Odors

If you notice a strange smell coming from your furnace, it could be due to a leak. If there’s a leak in a gas furnace fueled by natural or LP gas, you’ll notice an odor like rotten eggs. This situation needs immediate attention to resolve, usually by your gas company. However, a carbon monoxide leak is equally dangerous. Read on to learn more.

If you notice this scent, it could indicate that your gas furnace is also leaking carbon monoxide and needs maintenance or repair. It’s best to call for help right away.

Once the fuel has burned and produced carbon monoxide, there will be no smell since carbon monoxide is odorless. To be safe, install CO detectors or combination devices that detect both CO and fire.

2. Yellow Flame

A healthy gas furnace has a crisp blue flame, not a yellow one. If you notice the flame in your burner has changed from blue to yellow, it’s a sign that your furnace is releasing carbon monoxide and needs immediate attention.

3. Excess Condensation

Excess condensation around the furnace can indicate a gas leak. Water vapor and carbon monoxide are normal by-products of combustion, but if the exhaust vent isn’t working and you see water near the furnace, you can assume there is carbon monoxide as well. If you have noticed excess water around your unit, call an HVAC technician to diagnose the issue.

4. Soot Around the Furnace

Soot is a black or brown powder produced during combustion. Over time, moisture can seep into the heat exchanger of a furnace and eventually cause rusty holes and cracks through which carbon monoxide and soot could escape.

5. Unusual Symptoms

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, so the only way to tell if you may have had an exposure is by noticing unusual symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness or fatigue. Have your home tested for carbon monoxide if you start having any of these symptoms while the furnace is on.

With proper maintenance and inspection, you can keep your household safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Contact us at Cook’s Comfort Systems, Inc. for help in protecting your home and family from the threats of a leaking gas furnace.

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