The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide from Your HVAC Unit

You appreciate your HVAC unit for keeping your Lorain-area home nice and warm during the winter. With your furnace running so frequently, it’s important to make sure it is operating safely. One of the dangers of furnace operation to be mindful of is the potential for gas leaks. Read on to learn about the dangers of carbon monoxide and your HVAC unit and what you can do to make your home safe.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. It is produced during the combustion process in fuel-burning appliances, such as your furnace or gas stove. Being colorless, tasteless, and odorless, it is undetectable by people without the aid of a carbon monoxide detector.

Even with detectors in place, the gas is still dangerous at lower levels that don’t set off detectors. Some of the symptoms of prolonged low-level exposure to this dangerous gas are nausea, headaches, and fatigue. Chest pain may be experienced by people with heart conditions. At higher levels, this gas can be deadly.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

One of the common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning is a problem with the venting system. The furnace venting system is designed to expel the poisonous gases produced during heating safely from your home. However, blockages in the vent system, such as debris buildup or animals’ nests, can introduce the deadly gas into your home.

Problems with the furnace’s heat exchanger can introduce poisonous gases into your home. The heat exchanger is responsible for venting gases produced during furnace fuel combustion. So, cracks, corrosion, and holes in the heat exchanger are very dangerous.

The most effective way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from your HVAC system is professional annual preventive maintenance. Your HVAC technician has the training and experience necessary to perform a comprehensive inspection of your furnace, fireplace, chimneys, and/or vents and make any necessary repairs. Professional service will also help your furnace run more efficiently when it comes to saving energy.

If you would like a professional HVAC contractor to help prevent carbon monoxide dangers in your Elyria or Oberlin home, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning today.