Most homeowners are aware of the threat that a carbon monoxide leak can pose, but far fewer of them are familiar with the necessary precautions to prevent them. Gas-burning furnaces are very common, and if you have one in your household, you need to take certain measures to ensure that you remain safe from the dangerous gas. Having a functional carbon monoxide detector is an excellent way to make sure you aren’t caught off guard by one of these leaks. They do a great job of preventing any serious or fatal injury, but they don’t get to the root of the issue.
The Causes of Carbon Monoxide Leaks From Your Furnace
Gas-powered furnaces make use of a combustion process to provide the heat that keeps you warm. Carbon monoxide is produced as a byproduct of this combustion process. Usually, the vast majority of the dangerous gas that’s produced will remain safely inside of the furnace’s heat exchanger. After that, it will travel through the unit’s flue pipe before being vented safely out of your home. The danger occurs when this heat exchanger or flue pipe suffers significant damage. This can be caused by a number of things, and you won’t always know they’ve occurred until the carbon monoxide has already escaped. To avoid this, it should always be a priority to ensure that your furnace doesn’t suffer any problems that can lead to a cracked heat exchanger or flue pipe.
Only Work With Trusted Heating Experts
Oftentimes, carbon monoxide leaks are caused by improper furnace installation. If you have the job done by unreliable or inexperienced technicians, it’s possible that things like the blower motor or ductwork may be set up incorrectly. When a heating system is allowed to operate for long enough with an improper setup, it can result in the heat exchanger or flue pipe becoming damaged. You can prevent this by doing your due diligence when you select your installation experts. If you’re in the Mishawaka, IN area, go with a reliable heating team like the one at Tyler’s Heating & Cooling for your furnace installation needs.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
Scheduling a professional maintenance tune-up at least once a year will make a carbon monoxide leak far less likely. For one thing, this type of maintenance will allow your furnace to operate more smoothly and efficiently. When a heating system is in tiptop shape, the odds of any sort of malfunction or problem become far more likely, which means the heat exchanger will be safer from damage. Even more importantly, the technician conducting the tune-up will carefully inspect the appliance for any indicators of damage. If there are any signs that your heat exchanger or flue pipe may be close to cracking or if there are any other nearby parts in danger of causing damage, they’ll be able to find them. Getting ahead of the problem may very well protect you from a dangerous gas leak.
Monitor the Air Filter
If your furnace’s air filter becomes clogged, it can result in a backflow of air as the appliance strains itself trying to circulate heat. This backflow of air can be one of the things that causes a damaged heat exchange or flue pipe. To make sure all that carbon monoxide remains safely contained, check your HVAC air filter on a monthly basis, and switch it out for a new one whenever it gets dirty or clogged.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Even if you have a carbon monoxide detector and have taken the above precautions, you should still be aware of the symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide. When you’re exposed to this noxious gas, the most important thing is recognizing the signs quickly and removing yourself from the area. If you suddenly notice several of the following symptoms, don’t hesitate to leave the home and get into fresh air as quickly as possible. Some symptoms to watch out for include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Physical weakness
- Confusion
Since we opened in 2017, we at Tyler’s Heating & Cooling have been building a reputation as a provider of quality heating and cooling services in the Mishawaka area. Our company is veteran owned, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with honest, on-time, and highly professional services every single time. We work with both residential and commercial clients, and we strive to always bring family values to every job we do.
Contact us at Tyler’s Heating & Cooling to learn more about what we offer.
