Hot Water Heater Smells Like Gas: Why Is It and What to Do?

Water heater is a beneficial home appliance that many people install in their houses. Well, since it has many ‘fans’, the manufacturer of water heater makes it possible for the appliance to be powered on several combustion fuels. One of them is by using natural gas to heat the water before it can be used by the users.

It may seem cool but it’s still not free from problems, such as hot water heater smells like gas.

Hot Water Heater Exhaust Smells like Gas

You may wonder what it takes for the water heater to emits a gas-like smell. Is it a regular occurrence, or is it a type of warning you should notice right away?

Well, to be straightforward that is not common to have the water smells like gas. Some people take it as a ‘rotten egg’ smell. Some random guys will also say that a gas water heater smells like carbon monoxide. Whichever way you address it, this is the same situation that emphasizes that there is a problem. That said, this kind of ‘error’ should light the alarm for checking.

What may cause the gas-like smell? According to several sources, this occurrence may occur due to the gas leaking, which later will link you to a conclusion that there is something wrong with either other HVAC items or water heater in your house. Aside from that, another bet to make is that there is a gas combustion issue.

What should you do if water heater smells like gas? This procedure can be used if you are facing a similar occurrence:

Hot Water Heater Smells Like Gas
  1. First, don’t panic. Start by shutting off the gas which powers the water heater.
  2. Leave your house, and you should call the gas company. If possible, do it as soon as possible before the leaking gas gets spread more and more—which will be dangerous. Tell them whether there is leaking or not.
  3. Once the problem is all set, consider calling water heater professionals to check your unit. If it is required for a fix or replacement, that will be better to stick with their opinion.

Tankless Hot Water Heater Smells Like Gas

A tankless heater can be helpful for individuals or families with no vast house space. Like its rival water heater with a tank, the tankless water heater has a product that uses gas for its combustion fuel.

Interestingly, when your tankless heater smells just like gas, it is normal—but only if this occurrence happens in new water heaters. But it should not persist for a long time. You should consider talking about this occurrence to the professional if the gas smell continues to exist after one or two days.

So, what can you do to deal with this? Aside from getting a professional who will help you deal with the problem in no time, you can consider changing the gas line, which has protective polymers on it. This may cost you higher, but you know that it can be worth the investment.

But if you are not sure what to do when the water heater smells like gas, it’s nothing wrong with calling a professional. You may be required to pay a bit more, but you get your house safe. That’ll be a better option for you.

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HomeTips is an experienced author and expert technician. With years of practical experience in the field authored several informative articles on various aspects related to home improvement, including installation, maintenance, and repair.