Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas produced by combustion. In properly operating gas- or oil-fueled furnaces, water heaters, stoves and other appliances (as well as wood stoves and fireplaces), the gas is safely vented away from your living spaces. However, in rare cases, CO can leak into your home, threatening you and your family with injury or death. That’s why at least one carbon monoxide detector, and preferably more, should be installed in every home.
When the gas is inhaled, the body mistakes it for oxygen. Molecules of CO bond with red blood corpuscles in the same way that molecules of oxygen normally do. When this happens, oxygen molecules can’t bond with the blood cells. This has the result of starving the body’s tissues of oxygen. In the case of short-term exposure to lower levels of the gas, this can cause symptoms such as breathlessness, mental confusion, headaches and dizzy spells. In the long term, heavy exposure to carbon monoxide can result in brain damage and death.
Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by human senses. The gas has no odor, color or taste. You won’t even know you’re breathing it until it’s too late. For this reason, carbon monoxide detectors are vital. They can automatically detect levels of carbon monoxide and sound an alarm if it’s detected. Install your first CO detector near the main sleeping area, and then as you’re adding them, place one on each level of your home and near the door to an attached garage if you have one. Make sure you place your CO detectors high on a wall or ceiling since the gas tends to rise with warm air.
Older carbon monoxide detectors had a lifespan of around two years. Newer models may last as long as five or six. If your carbon monoxide detector is older than this, replace it with a new one. Many newer detectors have an “end of life” feature. This is an alert that lets you know your unit has reached the end of its useful lifespan and needs to be replaced.
For more advice about carbon monoxide detectors from trained professionals, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide superior HVAC services to Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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