n response to the many carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings and some CO-related deaths, Reliable Comfort has become certified in Carbon Monoxide Safety and Combustion analysis. Finally, there is a local expert for the community to deal with CO related problems and provide prevention services.
Most consumers know very little about carbon monoxide gases and their causes. For example:
- Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas formed in the process of incomplete combustion of fuels.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that can build up to dangerous concentrations indoors when fuel- burning devices are not properly operated, vented, or maintained.
- Because it has no odor, color or taste, CO cannot be detected by smell, taste, or sight. It is estimated that acute CO poisoning contributes annually to more than 2,000 deaths in the United States.1 In addition, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 8,000 to 15,000 people each year are examined or treated in hospitals for non-fire related CO poisoning. Breathed over long periods of time, low concentrations of CO may also contribute to other illness. 1Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
- Fortunately, simple measures can be taken to prevent CO problems. One such action is the installation of a CO alarm to detect potentially deadly conditions.
- In general, CO is produced when any material burns, but more is produced when there isn’t enough oxygen for efficient burning. Common sources of CO in homes include fuel-burning devices such as furnaces, gas or kerosene space heaters, boilers, gas cooking stoves, water heaters, clothes dryers, fireplaces, charcoal grills, wood stoves, lawn mowers, power generators, camp stoves, motor vehicles and some power tools with internal combustion engines.
- CO concentrations indoors are expected to be the same as CO concentrations outdoors (typically around one to two parts per million parts of air (ppm) or less).
- Breathing low concentrations of CO (5-30 ppm) may not result in obvious symptoms of CO poisoning, yet long-term exposure can still adversely affect health. At low concentrations, CO poisoning is easy to overlook because the symptoms are non-specific and your symptoms may come and go if CO concentrations change quickly.
- The best way to prevent CO poisoning is to make sure your fuel-burning appliances are operating, venting and maintained properly, and by installing a CO alarm.
Reliable Comfort Now Provides Carbon Monoxide & Combustion Related Services.
The smartest way to confirm there are no dangerous levels of CO gasses in your home is to have a complete home CO check by a certified contractor. During the process your contractor should check every combustible appliance using a properly calibrated Carbon Monoxide Analyzer. Your contractor should also be checking for correct chimney draft on your fireplace, furnace and water heater.
Installing a low level Carbon Monoxide Monitor is the best prevention of future hazards
Once all appliances have been checked and received a passing grade the smartest follow-up step is to install a carbon monoxide alarm.
As with most consumer products CO alarms are not all alike. Most don’t alarm until levels of CO have reached a highly hazardous level. Typically, store bought detectors, while less expensive, only provide life-or-death protection for normally healthy adults.
The correct type of CO monitor is one that will detect levels of Carbon Monoxide at 5ppm or higher. This is especially important to families with elderly, children of any age and those with respiratory and heart problems. Reliable Comfort can install a professional grade low-level CO monitor that is designed to provide protection for all ages and medical conditions.
CO is lighter than air. Monitors should be mounted at eye level and no lower. They should be placed in an area with good air circulation. If you have only one monitor it should be placed near the master bedroom. Additional locations include your kitchen, nursery, basement, rooms with fireplaces or gas logs, and near your heating system and/or hot water tank. Your professional installation contractor will determine the best location in your home.
For more information on Carbon Monoxide, office or home CO analysis or CO monitors, contact Reliable Comfort at 866-594-9994.