If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your furnace all that often. But if it’s not working properly, it can become a huge problem very quickly. One of the biggest dangers of a malfunctioning furnace is carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can cause serious health problems or even death. In this blog post, we will discuss how to tell if your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide and what to do if it is.
How to Tell if Your Furnace is Leaking Carbon Monoxide
The best way to tell if your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide is to use a carbon monoxide detector. A carbon monoxide detector will alert you when there are high levels of carbon monoxide in the air. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, there are other ways to tell if your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide.
If you have a gas furnace, there are some things that can help you determine if it is leaking carbon monoxide. If your furnace has a pilot light, make sure that the flame is blue. A yellow or orange flame could mean that your furnace is burning too much fuel and producing more carbon monoxide than usual. Also, look for any evidence of soot or rust around your furnace. If you see any, it could mean that there is a furnace carbon monoxide leak.
How to Conduct a Furnace Carbon Monoxide Test
If you’re not sure whether your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide, you can test it yourself. All you need is some household bleach and a bucket. Pour a gallon of bleach into the bucket, and then shut off your furnace. Take a piece of paper, dip it into the bleach, and hold it up to the draft inducer (the part of the furnace where the air comes in).
If the paper turns brown, there is carbon monoxide leaking from your furnace. This is due to a chemical reaction that will occur if there is a strong presence of carbon monoxide coming from the furnace.
What to Do if Your Furnace Is Leaking Carbon Monoxide
If you have a carbon monoxide detector, and it alerts you that there are high levels of carbon monoxide in the air, it means you should evacuate your home immediately. You should then call your gas company to come out and check your furnace.
If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector but you suspect your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide, you should also evacuate your home immediately and call your gas company.
It’s a good idea to have your furnace inspected by a professional every year to make sure that it is not leaking carbon monoxide.
How to Fix Carbon Monoxide Leak in Furnace
If you have a carbon monoxide leak in your furnace, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Carbon monoxide often leaks because of a problem with the furnace’s venting system. If there is not enough air for the fuel to burn, or if the heat exchanger is cracked, it can cause carbon monoxide to leak from your furnace. The only way to fix a carbon monoxide leak in your furnace is by having it repaired by an HVAC professional.
A professional will identify any leaks in the furnace venting system by first inspecting the outside of your home for any issues. If there is something wrong with the venting system, they will need to go inside and check it as well. This is usually done by removing a panel on the furnace so that they can inspect it up close.
Cracked heat exchangers can also be the cause of a carbon monoxide leak because they allow carbon monoxide to escape into the air. If your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, it will need to be replaced.
The most dangerous aspect of carbon monoxide is that it is odorless and colorless. This means that you can’t tell if there is a carbon monoxide leak just by looking at your furnace. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector and to make sure that it is working properly. You should also have your furnace inspected by a professional every year.
Some of the effects and risks of a carbon monoxide leak include:
- Dizziness and nausea: Carbon monoxide can cause a person to feel dizzy or nauseous. Symptoms can also induce headaches, confusion, and fatigue in those who are exposed to it for long periods of time.
- Permanent brain damage: A carbon monoxide leak can lead to permanent brain damage if there is prolonged exposure. This is because the gas can replace the oxygen in your blood, leading to serious health problems.
- Chest pain and tightness: You should watch out for any discomfort in the chest area, which can be mistaken for a heart attack.
- Vision problems: A carbon monoxide leak can also lead to vision problems such as blurred vision or partial blindness.
- Death: The most severe effect of a carbon monoxide leak is death. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause someone to lose consciousness within minutes.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is fatal if it remains untreated for too long. If you suspect that your furnace may be leaking carbon monoxide, you should evacuate the area immediately and contact an HVAC company.
Why Does a Furnace Leak Carbon Monoxide?
There can be several reasons why a furnace leaks carbon monoxide. The most common reason is that the furnace is not working properly and needs to be repaired. But a furnace can also leak carbon monoxide if it has been damaged by a fire or flood.
Apart from regular furnace maintenance, it is good to replace your furnace if it is more than 15 years old. Old furnaces are more likely to leak carbon monoxide. For your family’s safety, it is important to have a furnace that is in good working order and to ensure that it doesn’t leak carbon monoxide.
Related Posts
