Gas Odors and Pilot Lights
Natural gas is odorless and colorless.
As a safety precaution, PG&E adds a sulfur-like odor to natural gas to help people identify gas leaks.
Figure 1.1
- Keep a flashlight handy to investigate minor gas odors. Never use matches or candles to look for gas leaks, and never turn any electric switches on or off if you suspect a gas leak.
- Check pilot lights to see if they are lit.
- If the smell of gas continues, or if you have any doubts, open windows and doors and get everyone out of the building. Call PG&E or 9-1-1 using a phone away from the building.
Many older gas appliances and most water heaters have a small, continuously burning gas flame – the pilot light – that ignites the main burner. Some newer models have electronic igniters.
Figure 1.2
- Know which of your appliances have a pilot light.
- Know how to relight any pilot lights following the appliance manufacturers' instructions. Often, basic relight instructions are located inside the main burner compartment door [as shown above in figure 1.2]. If you cannot relight the pilot light yourself, call PG&E or another qualified professional for assistance.
- If the pilot light is out, shut the gas off at the appliances gas shutoff valve. Always wait five minutes to let gas disperse before trying to relight an appliance pilot light.
