Do Furnaces Produce Carbon Monoxide?

As winter takes hold, you’re probably spending more time indoors where your furnace keeps things nice and cozy. Whether you’re more of a  quiet night under a blanket with a nice book With more time spent in close quarters, it’s vital to keep furnace safety a top priority.

One question you might have: Do I need to worry about furnace carbon monoxide? We’re going to dive into it and give you all the tips you need to prevent your furnace from sending carbon monoxide into your home.

Furnace Carbon Monoxide

Do furnaces produce carbon monoxide? The answer is yes. Gas and oil furnaces produce small amounts of carbon monoxide when they are used. This is normal, and when working properly, carbon monoxide from the furnace stays inside the furnace. It does not ventilate out into your home.

The problem is that over time, furnaces can develop leaks, which can allow small amounts of carbon monoxide to escape the furnace and into your home. Leaks like this are a safety hazard and they should be taken very seriously. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning is dangerous

When too much carbon monoxide gets in the air, it can build up in your bloodstream, causing carbon monoxide poisoning. The more you breathe it, the more your body will replace oxygen with carbon monoxide in your blood cells. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can lead to severe tissue damage or even be fatal.

Carbon monoxide is odorless 

The biggest problem is that a carbon monoxide leak is nearly impossible to detect on your own. Carbon monoxide in the air has no tells: it is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. The best way to detect carbon monoxide is with a carbon monoxide alarm, which may already be required in your home. It’s best to have two installed in the house—one near the furnace and one near the family bedrooms.

To make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working properly, follow these tips:

• Make sure the detector meets the safety requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or the International Approval Service (IAS). 
• Replace your carbon monoxide detectors every 5 years. 

Furnace Carbon Monoxide Prevention Tips

You don’t need to wait for an alarm to go off to keep yourself safe from carbon monoxide. Making sure you keep your furnace in good repair is one of the easiest ways to keep yourself and your family safe. The best way to do this is through a series of safety measures.

1. Keep your furnace clean. Since carbon monoxide is so difficult to detect, you need help from a professional to snuff it out. You could DIY your furnace cleaning, but working with an expert ensures that any carbon monoxide threat is detected. The CDC advises annual furnace inspections to prevent carbon monoxide leaks.

2. Schedule regular maintenance. Not all furnace care is a DIY project. It is a good idea to have your furnace inspected by a professional every fall. During a furnace cleaning and maintenance appointment, you can expect a professional to do the following:

• • Clean, check, and secure all furnace and water heater components
  • Test your carbon monoxide detector
  • Replace furnace filters, humidifier pads, air-to-air intake hood, and/or drain hose if necessary

3. Install a condensate neutralizer. One of the best ways to safely dispose of carbon monoxide in your furnace is by installing a condensate neutralizer. It will take the furnace’s carbon monoxide and pump it outside your house, leaving your air free of harmful gasses.

Breathe Easy

You can never be too cautious when it comes to carbon monoxide and your furnace. If you haven’t scheduled your yearly cleaning and maintenance, contact us today.