What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. Carbon monoxide is produced by burning fuel. Therefore, any fuel-burning appliance in your home is a potential CO source. When cooking or heating appliances are kept in good working order, they produce little CO. Improperly operating appliances can produce fatal CO concentrations in your home.

Where is CO found?

CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing it.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO ingestion can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms.

How does CO poisoning work?

When CO is introduced to the bloodstream through the lungs, it is accepted in place of oxygen at a rate of 300:1 and literally suffocates its victim. When there is a lot of CO in the air, oxygen in the blood is replaced with CO, resulting in damaged tissue or even death.

Who is at risk from CO poisoning?

All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning.

What should you do?

Proper installation, operation, and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances in the home is the most important factor in reducing the risk of CO poisoning. Make sure appliances are installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the local codes. Most appliances should be installed by professionals.

• Always follow the appliance manufacturer’s directions for safe operation.
• Have the heating system (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually by a trained service technician.
• Examine vents and chimneys regularly for improper connections, visible cracks, rust or stains.
• Look for problems that could indicate improper appliance operations: Decreased hot water supply, furnace unable to heat house or runs continuously, sooting, especially on appliances and vents, an unfamiliar or burning odor or increased moisture inside of windows.
• Operate portable generators outdoors and away from open doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.

In addition, install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home. Every home should have a CO alarm in the hallway near the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area. The CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the most recent UL, IAS, or CSA standard for CO alarms. Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries. A CO alarm can provide added protection, but is no substitute for proper installation, use and upkeep of appliances that are potential CO sources.

• Keep furniture and carpeting away from grills and ductwork. If you block your system’s ability to deliver air, you rob yourself of the heating or cooling necessary to keep your home comfortable.
• On hot summer days, keep south and west-facing drapes, shades or blinds drawn in the afternoon. Keeping the sun out will keep your home cooler.
• Run your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the cooler evening hours during the summer.
• Keep your blower running continuously – it helps to keep the air circulating and maintains a more even temperature.
• Don’t overrun an exhaust fan. Doing so pulls conditioned air out of your home.
• DO NOT turn off your air conditioning unit when you go on summer vacation. Instead, set your thermostat between 80° and 85° to keep air circulating in your home. High temperatures and humidity can damage your home and your health by causing wallpaper to peel, floorboards to warp, and mold and fungus to form in bathrooms, on furniture and in your ductwork.
• Use a programmable thermostat. This allows you to heat or cool your home only when needed.
• Zone your heating and cooling system. If you spend most of your time in one part of your home or if different people in your home want the temperature at different settings, zoning can help you be more comfortable and save money on your utility bills.
• Keep supply and return registers throughout the house free of dust, dirt and pet hair by vacuuming them at least once a year.
• In winter months, set ceiling fans at the slowest speed and reverse the rotation in order to gently push warm air down from the ceiling without generating a breeze.
• Listen for odd sounds when your heating or cooling system kicks in. If you hear anything unusual, try HVAC troubleshooting and then get in touch with Hovland’s so you can head off furnace problems before they become more serious.
• Have your heating and cooling system checked regularly with preventative HVAC maintenance by Hovland’s. Your equipment works more efficiently when it is clean and running properly.