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Newly Installed Gas Systems May Start with an Odor Your gas fireplace smells when first turned on, and that’s okay. This is normal to experience the first time you light it up, after installation. This type of odor may occur any time of year with a newly installed unit.
Why does my gas fireplace smell when I turn it on?
In fact, a faint gas smell is an unavoidable consequence of using gas fireplace logs. In a gas ventless fireplace, oxygen is provided by the air in your home. If that air contains impurities, those impurities are drawn in with the oxygen and can produce odors which are amplified by the flame.
Do gas fireplaces give off a smell?
Natural gas itself is odorless, but has an additive that makes it smell like rotten eggs. If you smell a rotten egg smell around your natural gas fireplace, is important to leave your home immediately and contact your local utility service.
Should a vented gas fireplace smell?
As the waste air for vented forms of gas fireplaces leaves a home, there are typically no smells associated with the normal use of natural vent or direct vent gas fireplaces.
How can I make my gas fireplace smell better?
Hickory, apple or cherry wood chips give off a great smoky scent. Soak 1/2 cup of wood chips in a bowl of water for 30 minutes to an hour. Drain and place wood chips in smoker box. If using an empty tin can instead of a smoker box, place wood chips inside tin can and cover with lid or aluminum foil.
Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from gas logs?
Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.
How do I know if my gas fire is leaking carbon monoxide?
12 Signs There Is Carbon Monoxide in Your House You see black, sooty marks on the front covers of gas fires. There is heavy condensation built up at the windowpane where the appliance is installed. Sooty or yellow/brown stains on or around boilers, stoves, or fires. Smoke building up in rooms.
Why does my fireplace smell?
Fireplace smells come from creosote deposits in your chimney, a natural byproduct of burning wood. Chimney odors are usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high, on rainy days, and/or when the air conditioner is running. The real problem is air coming down the chimney, a symptom of overall pressure problems.
How do I know if my gas fireplace is vented?
Turn on the fireplace. If the flames reach above the gas logs and the look like a wood burning fireplace, then the logs must be vented. If the flames are small, an have a blue cast, the fireplace is vent-free.
How often should a gas fireplace be cleaned?
Yes, your gas fireplace needs to be cleaned regularly. Regular cleaning will help keep your fireplace performing efficiently and safely for years to come. Be sure to clean your fireplace annually for best results.
What does creosote smell like?
Creosote is a byproduct of combustion and therefore has a distinctive smell. In fact, it often smells like smoke or burning wood. When you walk outside on a smoky day, the air will have that same creosote odor to it as well. It is very strong and pungent, so you notice it right away.
Do gas fireplaces need to be cleaned?
While gas fireplaces don’t produce creosote, they do still need annual cleaning. A chimney sweeping in your gas fireplace will help remove items like bird’s nests, animals, and any debris that may have gotten trapped in there as well any potential soot. Furthermore, a chimney sweeping is often also an inspection.
What does vermiculite do in a gas fireplace?
Coarse grade exfoliated vermiculite that used in gas log fireplaces. By pouring into the burner pan, vermiculite granules add sparkle and shine to the fireplace for a real wood burning effect and evenly distribute the flame.
Do vent free gas logs smell?
Ventless logs do in fact produce an unmistakable odor, some more so than others depending on the quality of the brand. There is no way of preventing this, it is simply the nature of burning gas in your home without exhausting the fumes up a chimney. But gas is never 100% pure, so we end up with other byproducts.
How long does it take to get carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas fireplace?
If the carbon monoxide concentration in the air is much higher, signs of poisoning may occur within 1-2 hours. A very high carbon monoxide concentration can even kill an exposed individual within 5 minutes.
Should you have a carbon monoxide detector if you have a gas fireplace?
Although tests show that gas fireplaces do not increase carbon monoxide levels in your home, it’s wise to have the detectors if you use any gas appliances at home, including a furnace, a stove or a fireplace. Check the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector. Make sure vents are unobstructed.
How long does it take to show signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
This can happen within 2 hours if there’s a lot of carbon monoxide in the air. Long-term exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can also lead to neurological symptoms, such as: difficulty thinking or concentrating.
What does a gas leak smell like?
For easy detection, we add a harmless chemical called mercaptan to give gas a distinctive odor. Most people describe the smell as rotten eggs or hydrogen sulfide like odor. It smells bad for a good reason – in case of a gas leak! If you smell natural gas, leave the house.
How strong is gas leak smell?
Natural gas has no smell, which means a small leak would be impossible to detect. A hissing sound is not always present either. That’s why your utility company adds mercaptan, a harmless chemical, to the gas. Mercaptan smells like sulphur, or rotten eggs, to help you identify gas leaks.
