Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. It lacks smell, taste, or color and is found in furnaces, gas ranges, and fireplaces. If the gas builds up in a small enclosed space, it can quickly lead to death.
We are committed to sharing as much information as we can on protecting your loved ones from this deadly gas.
Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come From?
When you use fuels containing high carbon content such as wood, oil, gas, and kerosene, carbon monoxide is produced as part of the end product if combustion happens partially.
Poorly installed and poorly maintained furnaces, boilers, cookers, and central heating have the capacity to produce carbon monoxide that puts your family at risk of poisoning.
What are the Signs That Your HVAC System is Contributing to a Carbon Monoxide Leak?
As we mentioned above, faulty heating appliances are compromised and are likely to produce deadly gas.
The gas may also leak from other regions in the house. So look out for these symptoms and call on appropriate services because you may be dealing with a faulty system.
- Wear and tear
- Cracked combustion chambers
- Leaking on boilers and furnaces
- Cracked exhausts
- Frequent blowouts in the pilot light
- The appearance of yellow flames on the burner; you want to see a blue flame
- Too much soot
- Stuffy and smelly air
- Heavy condensation on clear glass materials
- A chimney flue that doesn’t encourage the natural upward draft
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If you notice these symptoms, there are high chances that your home has high levels of carbon monoxide.
- Being short of breath
- Chest pain
- Extreme nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Constant fatigue
- General weakness
- Prolonged headaches
- Enhanced confusion
Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
Chimney Inspection
Check the condition of fireplaces and chimneys to clear out the way for exhaust gases to pass through. You also want to get rid of debris, bird nests and remove soot while at it.
Check that the flue damper seals and opens completely. An inefficient damper increases the energy cost of heating.
Ensure That the HVAC Vents Allow Complete Airflow
Dust and debris collect in the vents all the time. You want to unblock heating vents as often as you can.
Blocked vents prevent heat from getting out and lead to increased energy costs. Check the supply and return registers to improve heat exchange.
Installation of Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Detectors
These are designed to detect carbon monoxide, not just smoke and fire specifically. The gas has no odor and is exceedingly toxic.
Regular Maintenance
It is important to service the HVAC system, oil and gas burning appliances at least once a year. This exercise is better handled by professionals who check for fumes and know when potentially life-threatening problems are present.
Thorough annual inspection and regular maintenance for furnaces can prolong its life to over 20 years.
Change the Batteries Two Times in a Year
Consider swapping old batteries with new ones during spring and fall.
Avoid Running Your Car in the Garage
While it looks harmless doing so with the garage door fully open, there have been a few cases where drivers collapsed even before they knew there was a problem. In addition, running the engine in the garage for just 7 minutes produces highly concentrated carbon monoxide.
Absolute Air offers a wide array of services, including, but not limited to, AC installation, AC repair, heating installation, heating repair, metal fabrication (for all types of ductwork), refrigeration, and gas line installation. Our trained team of technicians can also service and work on equipment brands such as American Standard, Train, Carrier, York, Goodman, Rudd, and Mitsubishi, to name a few.
If you have a service request not mentioned here, give us a call.
