Protecting Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

October 9th, 2019 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
Comments Off on Protecting Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

If you have a natural gas, oil or wood furnace, it is important to understand the risks of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Every year 400-500 people in the U.S. die from CO poisoning and an estimated 15.000 are treated for exposure at emergency rooms. CO is colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is a by-product of burning fuel. You need to know how to protect your family from accidental CO exposure that can be deadly.

Proper Ventilation

All furnaces need to have the right ventilation and seals in place to prevent CO leaks inside your home. It is critical to have your furnace inspected and services annually to ensure that it is working correctly, including the ventilation system.

Use a CO Detector

All homes should have a CO detector, especially those with fuel-fed furnaces. Make sure to check your detectors periodically to ensure they are working. Detectors should have a battery-backup if they are plugged in; make sure to change the batteries as needed.

Carbon Monoxide Exposure Symptoms

You should know the early signs of CO exposure. Dizziness, headaches, tightness in the chest, fatigue and nausea are common symptoms – children are more likely to show effects first. If there are any signs of CO exposure, exit the home immediately and seek medical care. You should also call your local HVAC service company to have your home tested for CO. If there is CO detected in your home, you may need your furnace serviced or repaired.

Awareness is key in protecting your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure to keep up with furnace and CO detector maintenance to prevent CO poisoning in your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 505-7426

, ,
Read More

Do You Need a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

September 4th, 2018 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
Comments Off on Do You Need a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

Every year, usually during the winter months, you hear of tragic deaths due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This deadly, yet odorless and colorless gas, can quickly cause bodily harm and death when people are exposed to it in enclosed areas. Since you cannot see, taste or smell it, a carbon monoxide detector is the best way to alert you if it is present in your home. If you don’t have a detector, you may want to get one installed.

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide does not just appear; it must be from a source. This gas is a bi-product of incomplete burning carbon-based fuels, such as coal, natural gas, wood, propane and oil. Combustion engines in vehicles produce CO, as can appliances and furnaces that use carbon-based fuel for heat or energy. When the proper ventilation is not present, the gas can fill your car or home, putting your health at risk.

CO does not take long to endanger your health. High doses of CO in an enclosed area can cause you to become unconscious within minutes and suffocate you as it deprives your brain of oxygen. Even those that survive CO poisoning can have serious brain damage and other health effects.

Homes that use gas heat or appliances should always have a CO detector, as well as homes that use propane, oil or wood. Homes that only use electricity for power or heat are less prone to CO poisoning, but if a propane or oil heater is used when the electricity is out, there are risks for poisoning. To be safe, all homes should have a CO detector installed. The next time you schedule your annual HVAC service, ask if they can provide CO testing for your home and install a detector to keep you and your family safe.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 505-7426

, ,
Read More

Be Prepared For Winter Carbon Monoxide Problems

October 12th, 2014 Posted in Furnaces
Comments Off on Be Prepared For Winter Carbon Monoxide Problems

Every year, an estimated 20,000-30,000 people are made ill from carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S., with hundreds killed on an annual basis from this deadly gas. Many of these victims succumb to the poisoning within in their own homes due to air contamination from fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces. To protect your family from this harmful gas, it is important to have a functional carbon monoxide detector in your home, along with keeping your gas furnace maintained. 

Carbon Monoxide: Odorless, Colorless Killer

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of burning carbon-based fuels such as natural gas, charcoal or propane. Since it is undetectable by the human senses, it can quickly fill a home to poisonous levels without any warning. It only takes a few minutes for a person, especially a small child, to breathe in deadly amounts of this dangerous gas. 

The best protection for a home which uses any type of carbon-based fuel for heat is a carbon monoxide detector. With winter on its way, now is the time to make sure your home is equipped with one of these life-saving devices. An HVAC contractor can properly install a new detector in your home. However, if you already have a detector, you need to ensure it’s still working by having it tested. 

If you have a fuel-burning furnace, you should also have an annual inspection and tune-up performed by a trained HVAC contractor. When gas furnaces are functioning properly, there shouldn’t be any danger of carbon monoxide fumes in your home from their use. It is worth an ounce of prevention to keep your family safe and warm this winter.

Posted on behalf of Find Local HVAC

, ,
Read More

Installing Gas Appliances and Gas Grills

December 11th, 2012 Posted in HVAC Accessories
Comments Off on Installing Gas Appliances and Gas Grills

Any serious cook will tell you that they prefer a gas range to an electric one. The temperature control with a gas flame is much more precise than you could ever achieve with any kind of electrical surface. Gas is a great choice for other appliances as well. You can find dryers that are gas operated instead of electric; gas water heaters are popular for their quick heating ability. If outdoor grilling is a popular cooking option for your family, having your grill connected to your natural gas line can be much more convenient and economical than using propane tanks. 

If you need gas appliances installed or want to convert from electrical appliances to gas, who do you call? When you think gas, think heat. Gas furnaces are installed by heating contractors and your heating contractor should be the person you call for the installation of any other gas appliance as well. 

HVAC contractors are the gas appliance experts. They can safely install new gas piping to a range, dryer, hot water heater or an outdoor grill. When they connect your appliance to the gas line, they will test the connections and burners to make sure there are no leaks and that the appliance is operating properly.

If you do not yet have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, your HVAC contractor will certainly recommend that you install one. Every home should have a CO detector, but homes with gas appliances of any type are particularly susceptible to dangerous CO levels developing due to a malfunction. Your HVAC contractor can install a carbon monoxide detector and other HVAC accessories. If you do have a CO detector installed, be sure that you have it tested to be sure that is working properly.

, ,
Read More

Find Local Company | HVAC Directory | Find Local HVAC Companies