What to Do IfYou Smell Gas

Many valley homes heat with natural gas, and a leak can happen in a gas line or an appliance. Natural gas is naturally colorless and odorless. Southwest Gas and other utility companies add a chemical called mercaptan to the supply. This gives the gas a distinct odor, often compared to rotten eggs or sulfur. This smell is an intentional safety feature designed to alert you to a problem.

Recognizing a Gas Leak

The rotten egg odor is the most obvious sign of a natural gas leak, but it is not the only indicator. You might hear a hissing or whistling sound coming from the gas lines near your furnace, water heater or meter. In the yard, an underground leak can cause dirt to blow into the air or create bubbles in standing water. You might also notice patches of dead grass or vegetation directly above the buried gas line.

Inside the house, pay attention to the flame on your gas appliances. A normal gas flame burns steady and blue; a yellow or orange flame can mean the appliance is not burning the gas completely and needs service.

Immediate Actions to Take

If you smell gas, your first priority is removing everyone from the area. Southwest Gas advises residents to leave the home right away. Do not pause to find the source of the leak, open windows or gather belongings. The longer you remain in the building, the higher the risk of exposure to the gas and the potential for an ignition event.

As you exit the house, you must avoid doing anything that could create a spark. A single spark is enough to ignite natural gas that has pooled inside a closed room. Southwest Gas warns that you should not touch light switches, thermostats or anything that could spark. Do not use your cell phone or a landline while you are still inside the property.

• Leave the building immediately without stopping.
• Do not touch light switches or thermostats.
• Do not unplug appliances or turn off electronics.
• Do not light matches or use a lighter.

Who to Call and When

Once you and your family are a safe distance away from the home, you can make the necessary phone calls. From a safe place outside, call 911 and Southwest Gas. They handle a gas leak, and Kestrel Heating & Air does not replace 911 or the gas company.

Wait outside until the emergency responders arrive. Do not attempt to reenter the house for any reason until Southwest Gas or the fire department explicitly tells you it is safe to do so.

Repairing the Source

Once Southwest Gas or the fire department says the home is safe to enter, if the problem was the gas furnace, our technician finds the cause first, shows you what failed and gives a written price before any repair.

The CPSC says fuel-burning heating equipment should be inspected every year; a heating tune-up inspects the burners and ignition and checks the flue and venting.

The CPSC advises installing carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home. Carbon monoxide symptoms resemble the flu. If an alarm sounds, leave the home immediately and call 911 from a safe place outside.

How We Can Help

Kestrel Heating & Air provides furnace repair and replacement services for homeowners in the Las Vegas valley. If Southwest Gas has shut off your supply due to a furnace issue, our technicians can evaluate the equipment and provide a written price for the necessary repairs. We also offer fall heating tune-ups to inspect the burners and ignition system before the cold weather sets in.