Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas produced during incomplete combustion of carbon. It is extremely toxic, and from 1999 to 2010 an average of 430 deaths occurred each year in the U.S. from CO poisoning. It sends another 15,000 to the emergency room annually. Because of this, it's important to install a CO detector in your house to prevent overexposure and hire an HVAC contractor to inspect your heating system for cracks or dirt in the burners. Below, you'll learn about the causes of CO and how a carbon monoxide detector can be a literal lifesaver.

What Are the Causes of CO?

In the home, some appliances may produce carbon monoxide. Anything that produces an open flame should be suspect, including a furnace, boiler, water heater, wood burning stove, and a gas oven or stove. Electric appliances do not produce combustion, but any that burn wood, gas, propane, or oil can emit carbon monoxide, as do gasoline and diesel vehicles. As any experienced HVAC contractor will attest, clean, efficiently-burning furnaces and appliances produce little to no CO, while older, dirty, and inefficient ones can produce deadly amounts.

How Does a CO Detector Work?

CO detectors feature one or more of the following types of sensors:

• Biomimetic sensors: contain a gel that changes color after absorbing CO.
• Electrochemical sensors: feature electrodes submerged in a chemical solution that changes in electrical current when CO is present.
• Semiconductor sensors: feature a silica chip that lowers resistance when it detects CO.

These sensors can detect even minute amounts of CO in the environment. Any change instigated by CO detection initiates an alarm that warns occupants of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. It gives users time to ventilate the room and exit the area until levels are back to normal.

To make sure your HVAC system isn’t a CO risk, contact Reading Heating & Air Conditioning for an inspection from an experienced HVAC contractor in Cincinnati, OH. They've been serving the Greater Cincinnati area for more than 70 years, and they offer 24/7 emergency service. In addition to air conditioning and furnace repair, they also specialize in AC, boiler, and furnace installation. Visit their website to see if you're in their service area or call (513) 821-1633 to speak with a friendly, knowledgeable HVAC contractor.