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Although many people mistakenly assume that carbon monoxide is only present around car engines, boats, and tractors, the truth is that poisonous carbon monoxide gas is generated anytime fossil fuels are burned, which means your HVAC equipment can also become a threat.

Here are three things that make carbon monoxide so dangerous, and how you can keep your family safe:

Simple Maintenance Problems Can Cause Leaks

Over time, dust can build up around the ignition points inside of water heaters and furnaces, which can lead to carbon monoxide leaks. Sometimes, the actual combustion chamber inside of furnaces can crack, increasing the amount of carbon monoxide that can escape the area. To keep your home safe and comfortable, have your HVAC equipment professionally inspected at least once a year.

Furnaces Run More Often at Night 

HVAC-cincinnati-OHAnother reason carbon monoxide leaks are so dangerous is the fact that HVAC equipment tends to be used more at night when people aren’t awake and capable of noticing symptoms. Fortunately, you can spot problems even when you are asleep by installing a basic carbon monoxide detector. These sensitive devices should be installed on every level of your home, helping you to detect dangerous odorless, colorless, carbon monoxide gas.

Some Symptoms Are Easy to Ignore

Unfortunately, some of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are easy to ignore, since they are common during other illnesses like the stomach flu. When exposed to small levels of carbon monoxide, a person might become tired, dizzy, disoriented, or nauseous. However, by having a working carbon monoxide detector in your home and having your equipment maintained carefully, you can rest assured that your symptoms are something other than carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

Keep your family safe this winter by scheduling an HVAC system checkup as soon as possible. The professionals at Schmidt Heating and Cooling are dedicated to helping home and business owners throughout the greater Cincinnati, OH, area to heat and cool their homes safely and effectively, reducing energy costs and improving your quality of life. To learn more about their company, visit them online or call (513) 531-6900.

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