Carbon monoxide is often called a silent killer. It’s a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by burning fuel in cars, fireplaces, gas lanterns, and grills. CO is also produced by gas furnaces as a natural byproduct of the combustion process that creates heat.
Residential furnaces are designed with ventilation systems to keep harmful levels of carbon monoxide from leaking into your home, but leaks can still occur if your heating system is damaged or poorly maintained. Fortunately, proper furnace maintenance isn’t that difficult, especially if your HVAC system is still relatively new. All you need to do is follow these helpful tips to keep your home safe from carbon monoxide.
Change Your Air Filter Regularly
Changing your air filter is one of the most basic yet important bits of maintenance you can do for your furnace. A dirty filter can impede airflow, which greatly reduces your home’s indoor air quality and can make a carbon monoxide leak more likely. We recommend checking your air filter at least once a month and changing it as needed, typically every one to three months.
Have Your Furnace Serviced Regularly
Almost all of the issues that can lead to a carbon monoxide leak can be avoided through regular furnace tune-ups. We recommend scheduling at least one tune-up every year, preferably during the early fall. During a tune-up, an HVAC technician will inspect your heating system and make sure that everything is working properly. This includes checking for a cracked heat exchanger, which is one of the most common causes of carbon monoxide leaks in homes.
Know the Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is the part of your furnace that heats the air in your home. Natural gas is ignited in the heat exchanger while a blower moves air across the exchanger. The heated air then circulates throughout your home. If the heat exchanger is cracked, the carbon monoxide that is produced by the burning gas can leak into your home.
Since carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, you likely won’t know if you have a CO leak until your carbon monoxide detectors go off. That’s usually a good sign that your heat exchanger is cracked, but you also might have a problem if your furnace isn’t producing heat or if you or anyone else in your home is experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, or other signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
CO Detectors & Professional Inspections Can Keep You Safe
While carbon monoxide is incredibly dangerous, you don’t have to go to bed worrying about your gas furnace. Stay on top of your furnace maintenance, and don’t hesitate to call emergency services if you suspect a carbon monoxide leak in your home. Most importantly, make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. We recommend that you have at least one CO detector for each level in your home. Ideally, you should place them away from your appliances and near sleeping areas.
When you need heating maintenance services in Brunswick, GA, contact Hendrix Air.
