C. Andrew John
While I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) and how it relates to gas furnaces, you may not realize it’s not just gas furnaces that can pose a risk.
Additional sources of CO include blocked flues and chimneys and burning fuel in unventilated spaces (for example, using a barbecue inside a garage), as well as faulty or blocked car exhausts, to name a few.
Since HVAC is my specialty, I wanted to make you aware of some misconceptions people have specifically related to furnace safety.
- Assuming because a furnace is working and generating heat, it is safe to operate.
- Assuming the typical carbon monoxide detector you can pick up at home improvement stores is all the protection you need to keep you and your family safe.
- Assuming if you have your furnace inspected every few years, it is safe to operate.
So, how do you protect your family?
First—Every home (even if you don’t have a gas furnace) should have a low-level carbon monoxide detector. The CO detectors available in the big box stores provide only a minimal amount of protection. They don’t alarm you until after unsafe levels are present and those unsafe levels have to have been that way for some time.
Second—Don’t neglect your furnace. Have it professionally checked each year by qualified technicians. Don’t just take my word for it.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises
“Consumers should not service their own appliances, but have a qualified plumbing, heating contractor or gas company technician perform an inspection every year.”
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued this warning
“Recommended strategies to prevent CO poisoning from your home appliances include having your heating system, water heater and other gas, oil or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year and installing a battery-operated CO detector in your home.”
I could go on with more citations regarding the role of maintenance in furnace safety, but you get the point. The expert opinion is that gas furnaces need to be checked annually by a qualified professional. In addition to safety, it is also important to maintain the efficiency of the system.
If you have a gas furnace and haven’t had it maintained and checked for safety this year, don’t wait.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call John’s Refrigeration at (480) 648-2505, or go to JustCallJohns.com.