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Gas smell, CO alarm or soot at the furnace.

Only a licensed gas or oil technician should do this work, after the utility or emergency crew releases the site.

Customers put it like this

  • I smell gas by the furnace
  • The CO alarm went off
  • There's soot around the furnace
  • It smells like exhaust around the furnace
Prepare this job in ForeBotFind another guide

Stop first if

  • You smell gasLeave the building now. From outside, call emergency services or the gas utility.
  • A CO alarm sounds, or anyone feels sick near fuel-burning equipmentGet everyone into fresh air. Call emergency services from outside.
  • After resets, an oil burner chamber holds pooled oil or vapor, or runs very hotDo not press reset. Keep clear and call a licensed oil burner technician.
  • A vent is disconnected, blocked or the wrong pipe, and CO is suspectedVentilate and leave. Stop the appliance only if it can be done without risk. Call from outside.
01

Ask on the call

6

Homeowner? These are the questions a good technician will ask you. Having the answers ready makes the first visit count.

  1. Can everyone get outside now?
  2. Does anyone feel sick?
  3. Is the alarm still sounding?
  4. Where is the soot or smell?
  5. Was an appliance, vent or exhaust fan changed lately?
  6. Were big exhaust fans or the dryer running at the time?
02

Bring

5
  • Combustion test instruments
  • Electronic combustible-gas detector
  • Non-corrosive leak-check fluid
  • Draft gauge
  • Smoke test kit for oil burners
03

Check on site

6
  1. Enter only after the utility or emergency crew has released the site.
  2. A licensed tech inspects the vent path for damage, blockage and wrong pipe.
  3. Note flame appearance, but let instruments decide.
  4. Record draft and combustion readings after the maker's warm-up.
  5. Run exhaust fans and the dryer while reading draft.
  6. Leak-check every disturbed connection with purpose-made fluid, never dish soap or flame.
04

Keep on the record

5
  • Who released the site, and when
  • Vent photos
  • Draft and combustion readings
  • Soot photos
  • List of fuel-burning appliances

General guidance for a qualified person, not a finding about any home. The person on site decides.