Gas fireplaces, stoves, and fireplaces make your home incredibly warm, comfortable, and functional, but unfortunately, these fuel-burning appliances also carry a few inherent risks, including the potential production of carbon monoxide. All devices that burn fuel create carbon monoxide, which is why it is so important to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home and seek early furnace repair to prevent exposure to carbon monoxide. 

How Carbon Monoxide Detectors Keep You Safe

Why Are Carbon Monoxide Detectors Important? 

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that is a natural byproduct of combustion. Properly maintained appliances emit less carbon monoxide because they burn fuel more completely. They also properly filter the carbon monoxide away through a flue vent or chimney. However, if poorly maintained, these appliances may burn fuel less efficiently or fail to ventilate fumes properly, resulting in carbon monoxide in your home.

Because humans can’t detect carbon monoxide, your alarm is crucial to keeping safe. While low levels of carbon emissions cause easy-to-miss symptoms such as a mild headache, a carbon monoxide concentration of as little as 25% could cause symptoms as severe as nausea and migraine, and concentrations of 45% and 50% can lead to unconsciousness and death. 

How Do You Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks?

Fortunately, by spotting the need for furnace repair early and by installing carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home, you’ll prevent problems. Always keep your fuel-burning appliances on strict professional maintenance schedules, because a little furnace repair now could prevent carbon monoxide emissions tomorrow.

Where Should You Have Detectors Installed?

Have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. Place one carbon monoxide detector near your furnace. Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are also installed near sleeping areas of your home. Install them about 5 feet up from the ground. Test your detectors at least once a month to ensure proper functionality. 

If you have questions about how to make your home safer, warmer, and more comfortable this winter, let Dave's Cooling Heating & Plumbing help. With a commitment to offering top products and quality furnace repair, this team of contractors has more than 30 years of experience that sets them apart from other HVAC businesses. Find out more about how they’ll help by checking out their website, or give their Staunton, VA, office a call at (540) 942-4357.