Whenever your gas furnace is on, carbon monoxide is being created. However, there is no cause for worry. It is a natural consequence of the fuel-burning process. As long as your furnace is working properly, it is safely deposited outside your home. Carbon monoxide is stored inside your furnace’s heat exchanger until it is safely moved through the flue vent to the outdoors. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a result of a malfunctioning gas furnace.
Breathing in too much carbon monoxide prevents the body from using oxygen and can hurt the central nervous system and heart. While carbon monoxide poisoning can hurt anyone exposed to the gas, it is notably risky for people with existing lung or heart diseases, pregnant woman, infants and children. Here are some tips to ease your mine mind and preserve a healthy, comfortable and safe home.
1. Invest in carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can’t be detected by humans. Without a detector, it’s almost impossible to perceive carbon monoxide is gathering in your home. You may not know until someone starts showing symptoms of poisoning. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home, ideally near bedrooms, to be alerted to rising levels before anyone gets sick.
2. Be sure your gas furnace was installed properly. If your gas furnace wasn’t installed by professionals, you should have it checked. The experts at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning can make sure your blower motor is installed correctly and that there are no flaws in your ductwork design. Carbon monoxide can collect if there are problems in those areas.
3. Schedule annual maintenance. Annual maintenance is the best way to prevent carbon monoxide leaks from your gas furnace. During a yearly tune-up, our professionals will clean your system and inspect it for malfunctions or problems. It’s also a decent idea to have any other gas-, coal- or oil-burning appliances professionally checked as well.
4. Keep your air filter clean. A blockage of airflow caused by a dirty filter can cause carbon monoxide to leak out of your system. Set a reminder on your phone or mark your calendar to routinely check your air filter and clean or change it per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
5. Always count on professionals to service your gas furnace and other fuel-burning appliances.
Carbon monoxide can be a serious threat, but you can have peace of mind by taking a few precautions. You’ll always have the experts at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning in Savage behind you to help, too. Give us a call at 952-373-0377 if you have questions or concerns about carbon monoxide or your gas furnace. You can also schedule an appointment using our online scheduler.