How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks in Your Home

Cold temperatures lead homeowners to batten down their homes and crank up the thermostat, expanding the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. About 50,000 people in the U.S. go to the emergency room each year as a result of unintended CO poisoning, and more than 400 people die. 

This odorless, tasteless, colorless gas is a side effect of imperfect combustion, meaning that it’s created each time a material burns. If the 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 in carbon monoxide gases and how to minimize your risk of poisoning this winter. 

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide 

Commonly referred to as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is lethal because it keeps the body from using oxygen correctly. CO molecules displace oxygen that’s part of the blood, depriving the heart, brain, lungs and other vital organs of oxygen. Dense concentrations of CO can overwhelm your system in minutes, causing loss of consciousness and suffocation. Without prompt care, brain damage or death may occur. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning can also occur progressively if the concentration is relatively minimal. The most frequent signs of CO poisoning include: 

• Headaches 

• Dizziness 
• Weakness 
• Fatigue 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 

• Chest pain 
• Confusion 

As these symptoms resemble the flu, numerous people won’t discover they have carbon monoxide poisoning until minor symptoms advance to organ damage. Be wary of symptoms that lessen when you leave the house, suggesting the source might be originating from inside. 

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips 

While CO poisoning is frightening, it’s also entirely avoidable. Here are the best ways to protect your family from carbon monoxide gas. 

Operate Combustion Appliances Properly 

• Never let your car engine run while parked in a covered or partially enclosed structure, like a garage. 
• Do not run a generator, lawn mower or other gasoline-powered tool in a confined space such as a basement or garage, regardless of how well-ventilated it might be. Also, keep these devices about 20 feet away from open windows, doors or intake vents. 

• Avoid using a charcoal grill or portable camping stove within a home, tent or camper. 
• Keep all vents and flues clear of debris that can lead to a blockage and trigger backdrafting of carbon monoxide fumes. 

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

If you ever operate combustion appliances in or around your home, you should install carbon monoxide detectors to warn you of CO gas. These alarms can be hardwired, battery-operated or plugged into an outlet depending on the style. Here’s how to take full advantage of your carbon monoxide detectors: 

• Install your detectors correctly: As you consider possible locations, keep in mind that your home does best with CO alarms on each floor, near each sleeping area and near the garage. Keep each unit away from combustion appliances and sources of heat and humidity. The higher on your wall or ceiling you can place your detectors, the better. 
• Test your detectors on a regular basis: The majority of manufacturers suggest monthly testing to make sure your CO alarms are working properly. Simply press and hold the Test button for 5 to 20 seconds, wait for the alarm to start and let go of the button. You should hear two quick beeps, see a flash or both. If the detector doesn’t perform as expected, swap out the batteries or replace the unit entirely. 
• Replace the batteries: If your alarms are battery-powered models, exchange the batteries every six months. If you favor hardwired devices that use a backup battery, replace the battery once a year or if the alarm begins to chirp, whichever comes first. Then, install new carbon monoxide alarms every 10 years or whenever the manufacturer suggests. 

Plan for Annual Furnace Maintenance 

Several appliances, like furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and clothes dryers, can emit carbon monoxide if the system is installed incorrectly or not working as it should. A once-a-year maintenance visit is the only way to know for sure if an appliance is faulty before a leak appears. 

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

• Examine the heating appliance for carbon monoxide leaks. 
• Spot any malfunctions that might cause unsafe operation. 
• Review additional places where you would most benefit from installing a CO detector. 

• Tune up your system so you know your heating and cooling is running at peak safety and productivity. 

Contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

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