Electric Water Heater Smells Like Gas: What to Do
On this page (6 sections)
The Short Answer: An electric water heater has no gas connection, so it can’t leak fuel gas. If the air near it smells of gas, treat it as a leak anyway, because a furnace, dryer, range or gas pipe nearby may be the source. Leave and call the gas utility from outside. If only the hot water smells, it’s a water-quality issue, usually linked to the tank’s anode.
First question: is the smell in the air or in the water?
| Where you notice it | What it most likely is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| In the air of the room, hallway or garage, with taps off | Fuel gas from another appliance or a gas line (utilities add a rotten-egg odorant) | Leave now and call the gas utility or 911 from outside |
| Only when hot water runs, cold water smells fine | Hydrogen sulfide in the tank, usually from a reaction between the water and the magnesium anode | Not an emergency. See below |
| From a floor drain or the relief valve’s discharge pipe | Sewer gas from a dry trap or a drain connection | Plumbing fix. Run water into floor drains |
| Hot plastic or burning smell near the heater’s access covers | Overheated wiring, thermostat or element | Turn the breaker off and call an electrician |
If the air smells of gas
The water heater isn’t the source, but that doesn’t make the smell safe. Fuel gas from any appliance or pipe in the same space smells the same. Get everyone out first, then call. Don’t try to find the leak yourself, and don’t go back in until the utility or a gas technician says it’s safe. Common sources include a gas furnace or boiler, a gas dryer, a range, and fittings on the gas line. For gas smells around a gas water heater, see water heater closet smells like gas.
If only the hot water smells
A rotten-egg smell from hot water, but not cold, is a common water-quality problem in storage tanks. Sulfate-reducing bacteria in the water react with the magnesium anode inside the tank and produce hydrogen sulfide. It’s unpleasant, but it isn’t fuel gas. Fixes a plumber may recommend include:
- replacing the anode with an aluminum/zinc or powered anode
- disinfecting the tank
- treating the water supply, especially on wells
See hot water heater smells fishy and water heater smells like dead animal for other water odors.
If it’s a drain or sewer smell
A floor drain that hasn’t had water in it for a long time can let sewer gas into the room. Pouring water into the drain refills its trap. If the relief valve discharge pipe runs into a drain without a proper air gap, a plumber should correct it. Never cap or plug the relief valve pipe.
If it’s a burning or hot-plastic smell
On an electric tank, that smell can mean a loose connection is overheating at a thermostat or element. Turn off the heater’s breaker and call an electrician or plumber. See water heater burning smell and what causes a water heater thermostat to burn up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Could my water heater actually be gas-fired without my knowing? A: Check the rating plate. A gas heater has a gas supply pipe, a burner compartment, and usually a vent pipe on top. An electric heater has an electrical cable going into a junction box on top and access covers on the side. Some homes have both types.
Q: Should I turn off my electric water heater if the house smells of gas? A: Don’t operate any switches, including the breaker, while gas may be in the air. Leave first, and let the utility make the area safe.
Q: Is sulfur-smelling hot water safe to bathe in? A: The smell comes mostly from hydrogen sulfide at low levels. It’s a nuisance rather than a gas-leak hazard, but have the cause treated. If your water comes from a well, test it.
Manuals and supporting references
These links distinguish general safety information from model-specific documentation. A manual directory helps you locate your unit’s instructions; it does not establish that every model uses the same parts, codes, or test values.
- PG&E: recognizing and responding to a gas leak (opens in a new tab)Emergency actions for suspected fuel-gas leaks.
Editorial standards and corrections · Prepare a useful service request