Disturbing gas smell coming from neighbor's tankless water heaters

last year

Neighbors rebuilt ( a year or two ago) an old home next door to me and made multi-family housing next to my condo. I have a lovely backyard that I only get to enjoy for 3-4 months of the year. It is my oasis. Last summer I started to notice an on -and off gas smell in my backyard. Then it turned cold and I had not been on my patio--until now. And now I smell the

strong gas smell coming and going. I called the Gas Co 3 times and we finally found the culprit today-- the rebuilt neighbor's tankless water heaters. I am upset because the smell is strong --his meters went off and he could smell it ( finally-- im not crazy!! ) and it is ruining the quiet enjoyment of my backyard. The gas guy mentioined there was some kind of metal enclosure that could be put around the tankless heaters. Is that true? Any ideas what I can do? I was thinking of sending a letter to the owners but what do I say? It is on and off and it is SO upsetting!!!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

J B
last year
No one should be able to smell natural gas. If you can smell it, there’s a leak. I’m surprised the natural gas company didn’t alert the neighbor immediately. I would let the neighbor know. “Hey, I kept smelling an odor of natural gas around my house, so I called the gas company. They came out and said it was your tankless unit. I just wanted to make sure you they contacted you so you could get it checked out.”
Lili L.
Original Author
last year
Yes he said " it's working as it's supposed to " but did say it was a bit strong ! Ugh !
Related Professionals
Miller Place Plumbers · Springdale Handyman · Allouez Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Apex Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Camarillo Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Kettering Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Mooresville Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Niles Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Port Angeles Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Rancho Cordova Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Terrell Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Middlesex Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Westminster Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Eufaula Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Tanque Verde Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
rwiegand
last year
If you can smell gas it's a problem. That's the whole point of the odorant they put into the gas.
Jake The Wonderdog
last year
last modified: last year
As an owner of one of these types of tankless heaters, it's operating normally.

There's really nothing that you can do. It must vent - enclosing it will not solve the issue.

The smell is from the pre/post purge and is most likely to happen when hot water is short cycled (my FL washer does this).

Be kind to your neighbors - they didn't do anything with the intention of intruding on your space and smells aren't generally regulated. Don't blow up your relationships over something that isn't in their control and that you have no chance of regulating. You really do have a choice about how "upsetting" it is.
Lili L.
Original Author
last year
hi Jake, But it is disturbing and some people do have sensitivities to smells. ( perfumes, scented canndkes, etc) But thank you for the information as that it is working properly....