Carbon monoxide can make you or your family extremely ill or even cause death. It prevents oxygen from being correctly used in your body and affects your lungs, central nervous system and heart. Unfortunately, your furnace can produce carbon monoxide and emit it into your home in certain situations. Fortunately, though, there are ways to prevent this from happening. Here are a few of the ways that you can prevent carbon monoxide leaks and poisoning from your furnace.
Regularly Replace the Furnace Air Filter
One of the things that you can do to minimize the risk of carbon monoxide leaks from your furnace is to replace your furnace air filter regularly. Your furnace air filter should generally be replaced once every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type of filter you have, how frequently you use your furnace and how dirty the air is where you live. Replacing the filter when it is full and dirty allows air to circulate in the unit as it should, decreasing the chances of carbon monoxide building up and escaping.
Maintain Your Furnace
Another tip for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning from your furnace is to have your furnace professionally inspected and maintained annually. Cracked heat exchangers are the number one cause of carbon monoxide leaks from a furnace. Unfortunately, this is something that the average person cannot see or detect on their own. There are many benefits to having the unit regularly maintained, but preventing carbon monoxide leaks is one of the top benefits.
Strategically Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors
The last tip for preventing carbon monoxide from poisoning your family is to strategically place carbon monoxide detectors near the furnace and throughout your home. If a leak does occur, the detector will alert you. This is important as carbon monoxide is odorless and extremely hard to detect without a detector.
It is recommended that at least one carbon monoxide detector be placed on every level of the home. If possible, place a detector immediately outside of any sleeping areas, such as the hallways that lead to your bedrooms. In addition to this, it is recommended that a detector is placed within a five to 20-foot range of appliances that can give off carbon monoxide, such as a furnace, fireplace or water heater.
Once your carbon monoxide detectors are placed, you should check them at least once every six months to ensure they are working. If they are battery operated, ensure the batteries are operating to ensure you and your family are protected against carbon monoxide poisoning.
No one should live in fear of their furnace leaking poisonous carbon monoxide into their home. If you are concerned about your furnace leaking carbon monoxide, call Guaranteed Services today. Let us put your mind at ease by servicing and inspecting your furnace.