We all love what our furnace does for us, especially during cold weather. There’s nothing quite like basking in the glory of your heater after coming back inside on a chilly day, feeling the warmth gradually return to your body. However, your furnace could quickly turn from something amazing to deadly if left unchecked.
During the winter, the chances of CO poisoning skyrocket, putting thousands of households at risk. If inhaled in large amounts, CO can cause sickness and in most severe cases, death. Because of this, HVAC Precision Experts has put together some of the most common signs of CO poisoning caused by your heater, answering any of your furnace questions and fears.
Signs Of Carbon Monoxide Leaks
Carbon monoxide isn’t detectable by sight or smell, making it a particularly hazardous gas. The following are some tell-tale signs that your furnace is leaking CO and needs fixing immediately!
- Soot, smoke or fumes in the house. Your furnace may also have stains on it – usually brown or black. On some rare occasions, it may even be yellow.
- Suspicious scents. While CO has no scent, it may be accompanied by other exhaust gasses that will produce a smell or something burning.
- Yellow burner flame. Unless your flame is meant to be yellow, your burner flame being a different color from blue can be a sign of CO leakage.
- Excessive condensation on windows, especially in the room your furnace is located in.
- The pilot light blows out frequently.
Preventative Measures
Now that you know some of the most common signs of a leaking furnace, here are some ways to prevent a carbon monoxide leak!
Heater Maintenance
Heater maintenance goes beyond staying warm. It can also mean providing safety for you and your household. A professional can inspect for cracks in your furnace or use specialized equipment to examine the system for leaks. Regularly scheduling a professional to tune up your furnace will provide less utility/replacement costs and ensure optimal performance.
CO Detector
If your home doesn’t already have a CO sensor, we highly recommend purchasing one! They’re one of the best and most reliable methods of preventing CO poisoning. CO sensors have a lifespan of up to 7-10 years, so remember to buy a new one when the time comes. In the meantime, ensure that you’re changing the batteries to your detector when it’s running low.
Air Filtration
CO is more likely to build up in a home that doesn’t have proper airflow, so it’s essential to make sure that you change your air filters to ensure filtration occurs. If your HVAC system isn’t regularly maintained, this can cause other problems, such as allergies and dust buildup.
Culpeper Heater Repair
Whether you’re looking for professional heater repair or IAQ solutions, look no further than HVAC Precision Experts! Our team understands that every homeowner wants reliable and high-quality work, especially when it comes to something as important as the appliances in your home. Give us a shot with all your heating and cooling needs. Call us today to learn more about what we offer!
