What is one common cause of odors associated with gas appliances?

Gas appliances can emit odors primarily due to gas leaks or incomplete combustion. Incomplete combustion occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen available for the fuel to burn completely, which can produce byproducts like carbon monoxide and other compounds that emit strong smells. Additionally, most natural gas is actually odorless, but utility companies add a distinct odorant, typically mercaptan, to help detect any gas leaks. When a gas leak occurs, the smell of mercaptan becomes apparent, signaling a potential danger.

While factors like high humidity or the age of an appliance can influence appliance performance, they are not direct causes of gas odors. Old appliances might malfunction or produce carbon monoxide, but the actual odor is linked to gas leaks or incomplete combustion. Therefore, when discussing common causes of odors from gas appliances, the primary concern revolves around issues of gas leaks and improper burning of gas.