Publication date: 12/28/2010

Call your gas company if unpleasant smells arise from gas appliances

Dear Glenn: Several times a year, our gas dryer, gas stove burners and gas oven emit a terrible scent. It lasts for a week or so. We are going through it again. Our clothes and bath towels smell terrible after using these appliances.

The gas company sent out a service man. He could find no gas or carbon monoxide leaks anywhere. He did admit he could smell the unpleasant odor, which reminded him of a cook stove at a campsite. Please help.

Dear Roland: It was smart of you to call the gas company. You do not want to mess around with a possible gas or carbon monoxide leak. Your home may be too tight, and that is where the odor may be coming from. You may need to get fresh air into your home. Open a window about 3 inches while you are using the appliance. If the odor is reduced, get a blower door test of your home. Call Ed Irvine at Flame Heating, Cooling & Electrical (888) 234-2340, www.flamefurnace.com. This test will determine air change rate per hour in your home.

---

Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

For more articles:

Browse-by-date Index