One of the worst things that can go wrong with your furnace is a carbon monoxide leak. This odorless gas is deadly when inhaled, which means even a tiny leak is considered a serious emergency situation. The technicians at Clockwork Heating and Air Conditioning have been in the business of detecting, preventing, and repairing carbon monoxide leaks in Athens, GA, for more than 30 years. Here are some ways you can avoid a deadly carbon monoxide leak at home:
Why Do Furnaces Produce Carbon Monoxide?
Despite being dangerous, carbon monoxide is a natural byproduct of combustion. Your furnace harnesses the power of combustion to turn natural gas into heat. When your furnace is working properly, carbon monoxide is trapped within a component called the heat exchanger and safely vented from your home through the flue pipe. However, certain things can go awry within your furnace and allow that dangerous gas to leak out into your home.
When Does Carbon Monoxide Become Dangerous?
Carbon monoxide is dangerous to people and animals even in small quantities. That’s why it’s imperative that your furnace is always in working order. When a person inhales carbon monoxide, it prevents oxygen from entering their bloodstream. This leads to the person slowly suffocating. Along the way, they will experience increasingly severe symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Eventually, they will lose consciousness and die.
Get Annual Furnace Maintenance
The best thing you can do to prevent a carbon monoxide leak is to keep your furnace maintained. Each year, you should have a professional tune-up performed by a licensed HVAC technician. The technician will run through a lengthy checklist of preventative measures during the appointment, including a full system inspection and cleaning. During the inspection, the technician will have a chance to spot any potential problems and fix them before they become full-blown disasters.
Regularly Change the Furnace Air Filter
This is a step you can complete at home. The air filter in your furnace is designed to trap dust and debris, but it will become severely clogged over time. When the filter is full, it can actually cause airflow to back up into the heating system, which includes exhaust gasses and carbon monoxide. To keep the air in your furnace running in the correct direction, replace the air filter with a clean one every three to six months.
Check That Your Furnace Was Properly Installed
If your furnace installation was handled incorrectly, there’s a risk of carbon monoxide backing up into your home. This is usually due to improper placement of the exhaust chimney, which is the structure that moves carbon monoxide from the furnace to the outdoors. Incorrectly installing ductwork or the blower motor can also result in your furnace leaking carbon monoxide. This is another reason why having annual maintenance is so important; if there’s a major problem with how the furnace was installed, a technician will catch it and let you know that it must be corrected.
Install A Carbon Monoxide Detector
If the worst happens and a carbon monoxide leak does take place, you’ll want to be alerted right away so that you can safely evacuate your home and call an emergency HVAC technician. Much like a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector can measure even trace amounts of the gas and alert you to its presence. Make sure to freshen the batteries every six months and to test the device once a month.
Your Furnace Experts in Athens
Here, at Clockwork Heating and Air Conditioning, our technicians can answer any questions you have about carbon monoxide and your furnace. We want to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable in your home. As a family-owned business since 1985, you can trust that you’re partnering with a company that has a solid foundation in hard work and family values. That’s why we prioritize upfront communication, friendly service, and free, no-obligation estimates. Clockwork Heating and Air Conditioning is here to provide full-service repair, replacement, maintenance for furnaces and air conditioners. We also provide top-notch indoor air quality services and whole-house humidifiers.
Our technicians are available for prompt service throughout the entire Athens area. Whether you live near the University of Georgia campus, the historic T.R.R. Cobb House, or Ben Epps Airport, we’re your full-service heating and air company. Call us today to schedule your appointment!
