If you have an older furnace that is making odd noises, you may be wondering, can a furnace cause carbon monoxide poisoning? A poorly maintained heater could release this dangerous gas into your home. With our expert furnace repair services in Covington, WA, we can inspect your furnace and make emergency repairs when necessary to keep your home safe.
Learn more about a furnace’s carbon monoxide risks.
How a Furnace Can Cause Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Furnaces that run via fuel generate carbon monoxide (CO) as they operate. The CO gas is a byproduct when the furnace burns fuel. Such furnaces include those powered by:
- Natural gas
- Oil
- Propane
- Wood
Electric furnaces don’t create CO as they operate.
As long as the furnace is in good condition and is running as intended, you don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning. The furnace system dissipates this gas with its built-in exhaust safety systems.
However, when the furnace is operating incorrectly or has broken parts, the chances of suffering a CO gas exposure increase. Cracked heat exchangers, for example, come with dangers, and loose seams in the exhaust system are a common issue that leads to CO gas leaks.
Not all carbon monoxide problems relate to physical damage on the furnace, though. If the furnace doesn’t fully complete the combustion process because it’s running poorly, it could leak CO gas.
Dangers of CO Poisoning
Can a furnace cause carbon monoxide poisoning? Yes, it can, so you may want to keep an eye out for CO poisoning symptoms. If you are feeling ill inside your home as your furnace is running, watch for concerns like:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Exit the home and call for help if you suspect any exposure to CO gas. If you wait inside, you’ll be exposed to higher levels of carbon monoxide. As a result, you might suffer a loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, and disorientation. Eventually, exposure to carbon monoxide can cause death.
How To Prevent Your Furnace From Causing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Covington, WA
Keeping your furnace in top condition is the best way to prevent a breakdown that releases this deadly gas into the air. Furnace maintenance for CO prevention involves performing a number of tasks, including:
- Having our experts inspect your furnace annually
- Calling for repair services if you notice any problems
- Never disabling any of the safety systems built into the furnace
- Changing your furnace filter regularly to keep the system running smoothly
- Removing items stacked around the furnace to ensure proper ventilation
Our heating service technicians can run a diagnostic test on your system during a maintenance tuneup that protects against CO leaks. This information helps us spot any parts and systems that may be malfunctioning so we can repair them immediately.
Cold nights in Covington, WA, are possible year-round, so you may run your furnace regularly. If so, calling for maintenance twice a year may be a smart idea, especially if you have an older furnace. Otherwise, calling for maintenance at the start of autumn is usually sufficient to prepare the furnace for the primary heating season.
Protecting Yourself From CO Leaks
Even if you take every precaution with furnace maintenance, a problem could arise where the furnace can suddenly cause carbon monoxide poisoning. You can take steps to protect yourself from these unpredictable breakdowns.
Having a working carbon monoxide detector installed on every floor of your home is an important step to take. These detectors work similarly to smoke detectors, providing a loud alarm when they detect CO. These carbon monoxide alarms should sound when small amounts of CO gas are present, giving you sufficient warning to protect yourself before lethal levels of gas are in the home.
You’ll need to change batteries and test the carbon monoxide detectors similarly to how you maintain smoke detectors.
Keep Your Furnace in Covington, WA, Running in Top Condition With Our Help
Can a furnace cause carbon monoxide poisoning? It can, but when you rely on the expert service team at DEAR Services, you’ll have a system that runs safely. We focus on heating system safety and keeping your home comfortable for the winter season. From repair services to maintenance checkups, we’ll make sure you get the help you deserve.
If you ever have a concern about your furnace’s operation or if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, leave the house and call us for help. Contact us today for any questions related to ventilation issues and CO.