How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks in Your Home

Icy temperatures encourage homeowners to secure their homes and raise the thermostat, expanding the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation. Close to 50,000 people in the U.S. go to the emergency room each year because of accidental CO poisoning, and more than 400 people die. 

This odorless, tasteless, colorless gas is a result of imperfect combustion, which means it’s produced each time a material burns. If some appliances in your home use natural gas, oil, propane, kerosene, wood, gasoline or charcoal, you’re vulnerable to CO inhalation. Learn what happens when you breathe carbon monoxide emissions and how to lower your risk of exposure this winter. 

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide 

Commonly known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is lethal because it prevents the body from consuming oxygen appropriately. CO molecules dislodge oxygen that’s part of the blood, starving the heart, brain, lungs and other vital organs of oxygen. Large volumes of CO can overpower your system in minutes, causing loss of consciousness and suffocation. Without urgent care, brain damage or death could occur. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning can also take place gradually if the concentration is relatively modest. The most frequent signs of CO inhalation include: 

• Headaches 

• Dizziness 
• Weakness 
• Fatigue 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 

• Chest pain 
• Confusion 

Since these symptoms mimic the flu, numerous people never discover they have carbon monoxide poisoning until minor symptoms evolve to organ damage. Look out for symptoms that decrease when you leave home, indicating the source could be originating from inside. 

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips 

While CO exposure is alarming, it’s also entirely avoidable. Here are the ideal ways to protect your family from carbon monoxide gas. 

Run Combustion Appliances Safely 

• Never let your car engine run while parked in a confined or partially enclosed building, like a garage. 
• Do not leave a generator, lawn mower or other gasoline-powered system in a confined space such as a basement or garage, no matter how well-ventilated it is. Also, keep these devices about 20 feet away from open windows, doors or intake vents. 

• Never use a charcoal grill or transportable camping stove while inside a home, tent or camper. 
• Keep all vents and flues free of debris that could create a blockage and cause backdrafting of carbon monoxide emissions. 

Install, Test and Replace the Batteries in Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

If you ever run combustion appliances in or around your home, you should put in carbon monoxide detectors to notify you of CO gas. These detectors can be hardwired, battery-operated or plugged into an outlet based on the style. Here’s how to make the most of your carbon monoxide detectors: 

• Install your detectors securely: As you consider possible locations, keep in mind that your home needs CO alarms on every floor, near every sleeping area and adjacent to the garage. Keep each unit out of reach from combustion appliances and sources of heat and humidity. The higher on the wall or ceiling you can install your detectors, the better. 
• Test your detectors on a regular basis: Most manufacturers suggest monthly testing to confirm your CO alarms are functioning like they should. Just press and hold the Test button for 5 to 20 seconds, wait for the alarm to sound and let go of the button. You ought to hear two brief beeps, observe a flash or both. If the detector won’t function as it’s supposed to, replace the batteries or replace the unit outright. 
• Swap out the batteries: If your alarms are battery-powered models, swap out the batteries after six months. If you have hardwired devices using a backup battery, replace the battery once a year or when the alarm starts chirping, whichever comes first. Then, install new carbon monoxide alarms every 10 years or as frequently the manufacturer recommends. 

Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance 

Many appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and clothes dryers, may leak carbon monoxide if the system is installed poorly or not running as it should. A once-a-year maintenance visit is the only way to ensure if an appliance is faulty before a leak appears. 

A precision tune-up from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning includes the following: 

• Check the heating appliance for carbon monoxide leaks. 
• Look for any troubling concerns that might lead to unsafe operation. 
• Assess additional places where you could benefit from setting up a CO detector. 

• Tune up your system so you know your equipment is running at peak safety and effectiveness. 

Contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

If your gas furnace, boiler or water heater has sprung a CO leak, or you want to stop leaks before they happen, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our HVAC maintenance and repair services promote a safe, warm home all year-round. Call your local Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning office for more information about carbon monoxide safety or to request heating services.