How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks in Your Home

Cold temperatures encourage homeowners to secure their homes and crank up the thermostat, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Around 50,000 people in the U.S. end up in the emergency room annually because of unintended CO poisoning, and more than 400 people die. 

This odorless, tasteless, colorless gas is a byproduct of imperfect combustion, meaning that it’s created every time a material is burned. If the appliances in your home run on natural gas, oil, propane, kerosene, wood, gasoline or charcoal, you’re susceptible to CO inhalation. Learn what happens when you inhale carbon monoxide gases and how to reduce your risk of exposure this winter. 

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide 

Often known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is lethal because it prevents the body from consuming oxygen correctly. CO molecules displace oxygen within the blood, depriving the heart, brain, lungs and other vital organs of oxygen. Large amounts of CO can overtake your system in minutes, leading to loss of consciousness and suffocation. Without prompt care, brain damage or death can occur. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning can also take place gradually if the concentration is fairly low. The most prevalent signs of CO poisoning include: 

  • Headaches 
  • Dizziness 
  • Weakness 
  • Fatigue 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Chest pain 
  • Confusion 

Because these symptoms resemble the flu, many people never discover they have carbon monoxide poisoning until moderate symptoms progress to organ damage. Be wary of symptoms that decrease when you leave the house, illustrating the source might be somewhere inside. 

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips 

While CO poisoning is intimidating, it’s also entirely avoidable. Here are the top ways to help your family avoid carbon monoxide exposure. 

Run Combustion Appliances Safely 

  • Don’t leave your car running while parked in a covered or partially enclosed structure, such as a garage. 
  • Don’t leave a generator, lawn mower or other gasoline-powered device in an indoor space like a basement or garage, regardless of how well-ventilated it may be. Also, keep these devices about 20 feet away from open windows, doors or intake vents. 
  • Never use a charcoal grill or transportable camping stove inside a home, tent or camper. 
  • Keep all vents and flues clear of debris that could lead to a blockage and encourage backdrafting of carbon monoxide gases. 

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 alert you of CO leaks. These devices 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 securely: As you consider potential locations, don’t forget that your home needs CO alarms on all floors, near each sleeping area and adjacent to the garage. Keep each unit away from combustion appliances as well as sources of heat and humidity. The higher on your wall or ceiling you can put in your detectors, the better. 
  • Check your detectors on a regular basis: The bulk of manufacturers recommend monthly testing to confirm your CO alarms are functioning correctly. You can press and hold the Test button for 5 to 20 seconds, wait for the alarm to sound and release the button. You should hear two quick beeps, see a flash or both. If the detector does not work as anticipated, swap out the batteries or replace the unit outright. 
  • Change out the batteries: If you have battery-powered models, exchange the batteries after six months. If you have hardwired devices that use a backup battery, change out 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 recommends. 

Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance 

Many appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and clothes dryers, may emit carbon monoxide if the appliance is installed poorly or not running as it should. A yearly maintenance visit is the only way to ensure if an appliance is defective before a leak appears. 

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

  • Inspect the heating appliance for carbon monoxide leaks. 
  • Search for any problems that may lead to unsafe operation. 
  • Assess additional places where you could benefit from installing a CO detector. 
  • Tune up your system so you know your heating and cooling is functioning 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 thwart leaks before they happen, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our HVAC maintenance and repair services encourage a safe, comfortable home all year-round. Get in touch with your local Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning office for more details about carbon monoxide safety or to request heating services

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