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is it normal to smell some gas from hot water heater

by Grover Mante Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Is it normal for a hot water heater to smell like gas? The short answer is, “No.” Here's the long answer: Natural gas is odorless. The chemical mercaptan is added to natural gas to better detect when a leak is occurring.17-Apr-2017

Full Answer

How to turn on gas in a hot water heater?

Method 4 of 4: Turning On Electric or Tankless Water Heaters

  1. Turn on the breaker for the hot water tank after it's full of water. ...
  2. Wait several hours for the water tank to heat up. ...
  3. Turn off the gas before switching on your tankless water heater. ...
  4. Confirm the temperature and turn on the gas for the tankless water heater. ...

What does a noisy hot water heater mean?

The banging or popping noise you hear could be the result of air bubbles escaping from beneath the sediment and rising up to the top of the tank. Too much pressure – if the insides of your water heater are under high pressure, you might also experience loud banging noises. This is especially true if you do not have an expansion tank installed.

Is my hot water heater going bad?

Your hot water heater is going bad if the water has a foul smell. When the mineral deposits go out of the water heater, it gives the water a foul smell. These deposits move to your tap, blocking the screens in the aerators that lead to the slow flow of water. Dull Color or Muddy Water.

How do you clean a gas hot water heater?

  • Turn off and drain the hot water heater as described in detail above
  • Remove the hot water heater drain valve (buy a new replacement valve if your old one is damaged)
  • Use a stiff wire such as a coat hanger to scrape and loosen debris from bottom of the heater. ...

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Why does my water heater make a hissing sound?

Before turning the power back on, wipe down the water heater while it is cool. This will prevent sediment build-up from happening in the near future. Sediment build-up may cause a hissing sound when you are using hot water.

What does it mean when you wake up and smell gas?

If you wake up in the morning and the first thing you smell is gas, that would automatically tell you something is wrong. Leaking gas is inevitably a serious situation that you need to handle as soon as possible. It is never ideal to stall when it comes to gas leaks.

How far off the ground should a gas line be for a water heater?

The new line should feature the protective polymer to ensure a more extended time period before leaking. The new gas line should terminate no further than two feet off the ground and no less than 6 inches. These measurements will keep things at a comfortable distance for the water heater to run correctly.

What happens if you leave a gas leak?

Leaving the issue for an extended period of time could result in the loss of your home, or even worse, your life.

How much does a gas line cost?

A regular gas line will only cost you about $15 to $25. A gas line with protective polymer will cost a little more. It will range anywhere from $30 to $40, but the quality will be worth the money. You will not need any extra tools. The only thing you will need to complete the job is a new gas line.

What to do after shutting off gas?

After you shut off the gas, you need to pack your family up and leave for your safety. It is highly suggested to call a professional to fix a gas leak. However, that does not mean it is impossible to do yourself; but proceed with caution.

Is a tankless water heater better than a regular water heater?

Tankless water heaters can be more efficient when it comes to having a water heater . Not only do they save space in your home, but they also have a longer lifespan than most water heaters with a tank. However, a tankless water heater may take some getting used to after having a regular water heater.

What does a water heater smell like?

1. Water Heater Smells Like: Burning Rubber or Plastic. If you smell burning rubber or burning plastic, turn off the power source at the breaker first before trying to pinpoint the smell. If the electrical contacts on the thermostat mounted outside the water heater are overheating, the plastic parts around the switch may overheat and burn.

Why does my water heater smell like it's burning?

Does your water heater smell like it’s burning? A burning smell coming from your water heater is often a sign of one of the components overheating or failing. Do not ignore these smells as they indicate a potential fire risk with your water heater.

What causes a water heater to explode?

Gas leaks: If you have a gas water heater and it has a gas leak, the ignition flame can ignite the gas and cause an explosion. High water pressure: As water is heated, pressure builds inside the tank.

What to do if your water heater smells like rotten eggs?

If your water heater smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, you most likely need to replace your sacrificial anode rod. These metal rods “sacrifice” themselves to rust and corrode first, preventing the water heater tank from rusting.

Why is my wire overheating?

If the insulation is old or not packed properly, it could cause the wiring to come into contact and heating elements and overheat.

What happens if a water heater is not working?

A properly functioning water heater will shut off or release the pressure through a safety valve. However, if these safety mechanisms fail, the pressure can increase to an unstable amount, causing the tank to explode.

Why does my electrical smell like it's hot?

Overheated Electrical Contacts. A hot wiring smell or electrical fire smell indicates that you need to check your wiring for arcing. After years of operation , the electrical contacts can erode and cause a higher resistance.

Recognize When Your Hot Water Heater Smells Like Burning!

A burning smell around the house is never a good sign as it can be a potential fire risk. Therefore, if you are wondering “why does my hot water heater smell like burning plastic?”, you should investigate.

Is It Time To Get A New Water Heater?

Frequent repairs can become very costly in the long run and is a sign of water heater failure. Therefore, if your water heater is giving you problems often, it’s probably time to get a new one.

Conclusion

In general, good functioning water heaters should not give off any smells! So if your water heater smells like burning, it is a sure sign that something is not right. In most cases, a water heater will need technical expertise when it comes to repairs. Therefore it is best to call a plumber to investigate the problem.

Why does my water heater smell?

The smell could be coming from inside the water heater due to a deteriorated anode rod.

Why does my water smell bad?

The most common cause of bad smelling hot water is anaerobic bacteria present inside your water heater. Anaerobic bacteria react with the sulfur, magnesium, and aluminum anode rods causing hydrogen sulfide gas which has a "rotten egg" smell in the hot water supply.

Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?

Hydrogen sulfide causes rotten egg smell. If your water smells like rotten eggs, there's a good chance your water heater is at least partially to blame. Anaerobic bacteria and sulfur in your water supply could be reacting with the magnesium or aluminum in your water heater's sacrificial anode rod.

How often should I flush my tankless water heater?

Tankless units require flushing every few years to remove buildup on the burners. For more information on tankless water heater maintenance see Easy Maintenance Tips for Tankless Water Heaters w/Photos. In a tankless water heater, hot water is not stored in a tank; rather it is produced on demand.

Why is water heater maintenance important?

Water heater maintenance is key to controlling bad smells in your hot water. As a water heater ages, sediment from the water supply collects on the internal water heater components and on the bottom of the water heater inner tank.

How do I drain water from a water heater?

Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater tank. Open the drain valve to drain the water to the exterior or into a floor drain. Be careful as the water exiting the hose will be extremely hot. Drain about 10% of the water from the tank. Locate and remove the anode rod.

What does rotten egg water smell like?

The third component of the water that smells like rotten eggs is typically either aluminum or magnesium.

faint gas smell near water heater

I'm familiar with gas leak odor, but what about a similar odor, yet not quite the same, near gas water heaters. Is there a residual odor from the combustion?

Comments (14)

You should smell nothing. I would check both the exhaust duct and that the space where the heater is located is receiving sufficient make-up air. Both are important.

How long does a high efficiency water heater last?

The high-efficiency hot water heaters are very durable. Most producers of these heaters provide a warranty of not less than 20 years. This is extremely good compared to traditional heaters whose warranty lasts not more than 15 years. However, they are more expensive than conventional hot water heaters. One thing though, you will get value for money when you buy high efficiency water heaters. They are made from high quality material and meet market quality standards put in place by industry regulators. You are, therefore, assured that this water heaters will last long.

Why do water heaters have magnesium rods?

However, the magnesium rod corrodes faster than the water heater, thus releasing electrons into the tank that guards the water heater against corroding. A time comes when you will have to replace the anode rod with a new one. You will be hit with a strange smell similar to that of a rotten egg in this period.

Why does my water heater smell?

Your water heater accumulates debris and dust over time. These dust and debris come from the air in your home. When you turn your water heater on after a long period, dust and debris will burn to release a strange smell. This smell can be strong enough to make you doubt the normal functioning of your water heater. You might be tempted to call the fire department; don’t. Instead, inspect the water heater to find the problem and rest easy. In most cases, this issue resolves itself, which means you do not have to do anything.

How efficient is a water heater?

Highly efficient water heaters (View on Amazon) consume less energy compared to the normal water heater. Most high-efficiency hot water heater models use 50% less energy. This is attributed to their ability to heat water within a short period. The tankless models heat water when necessary, thus reducing the utilization of energy. The highly efficient water heaters have also been insulated well to keep water hot for long. The solar-powered water heaters save a lot on the heater’s operation cost, up to 70% of the heater’s operational cost.

What is tankless water heater?

For the tankless hot water heater, water can attain a maximum temperature at any given moment. This maximum temperature cannot be exceeded. It is set by the producer and should be considered safe for consumers. On the other hand, traditional heaters can heat water to extremely high levels because of the long heating period. This high temperature might lead to scalding.

Do you get tax relief on a water heater?

You will get tax relief or rebate when you get a highly efficient water heater. These efficient hot water heaters are some of the appliances accounted for in the federal tax incentives to promote energy efficiency. However, you need to know that the federal credits for energy efficiency are not the same across all states. These incentives allow you to get back a percentage of the high-efficiency heater acquisition cost. This tax seeks to encourage more homeowners to take part in the conservation of limited environmental resources.

Do water heaters pollute the environment?

Highly efficient hot water heaters do not pollute the environment like other types of water heaters in the market today. They do this by consuming less energy and emitting fewer greenhouse gases. They are also manufactured using reusable and recyclable materials, thus reducing the amount of solid waste that will end up in landfills. All these components make highly efficient water heaters your best choice.

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