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Important Reasons to Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors Regularly

Aladdin — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 09:00:49 +0000

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels. You can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide. So, if you use appliances that burn natural gas, propane, oil or wood in your home, it’s imperative to have carbon monoxide detectors installed in the right areas, and test them regularly.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is responsible for more than 200 American deaths per year, and sends thousands more to emergency rooms. CO attaches to hemoglobin in the blood, which prevents the brain, heart and other vital organs from receiving oxygen. Symptoms of low levels of CO exposure include headache, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Higher levels of CO poisoning can cause chest pain, vision impairment, disorientation, convulsions and death.

Testing CO Detectors

When fuel combustion is efficient, the combustion process gives off carbon dioxide. When combustion is incomplete due to dirty or malfunctioning combustion parts, CO is given off. Since CO can’t be detected by human senses, CO detectors are the only practical detection method. Check all CO detectors in your home each month. Here’s how:

Locate the test button on the CO detector.
Press and hold the button until the CO detector starts beeping.
Release the button.

If your CO detectors operate using batteries, replace the batteries with fresh ones each year on a specific date you’ll remember, such as the first day of winter.

Best Locations for CO Detectors

CO can leak and stay within a relatively confined space in your home. CO can also be sucked into air ducts and spread through the home. So, it’s very important to install a CO detector on each floor of your home, including the basement, attic and attached garages and workshops.

Install a CO detector within eight feet of each bedroom. During the heating months, the gas furnace is typically running, which statistically increases the risk of CO poisoning. So, you want the detectors close enough to wake everyone, should they go off.

To learn more about carbon monoxide detectors and safety in your Warren home, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Grzegorz Petrykowski/Shutterstock”

The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Detection

Aladdin — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 09:00:45 +0000

Early carbon monoxide detection in the home is critical. Unconsciousness and death can occur rapidly when concentrations of this hazardous gas reach 150 parts per million in indoor air, a level only slightly higher than the amount that produces detectable symptoms in many people. That’s why carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are now required by building codes in most localities.

Today’s new “smarter” carbon monoxide detection technology provides accurate early warning of dangerous CO levels without annoying false alarms. Install a detector and remember to press the “Test” button and replace the batteries (if required) twice a year.

Carbon monoxide gas is a byproduct of common household combustion sources like a gas-fired furnace, water heater or stove. It may also enter the house from the exhaust of a car idling in the garage or a lawnmower outside. Here’s why carbon monoxide detection must be a household safety priority:

The Silent Killer

CO has neither taste nor odor, so it may affect the home without recognizable danger signs. The gas is only slightly lighter than air, therefore it tends to accumulate within living spaces rather than clearing naturally.

Symptoms Seem Harmless

Flu-like symptoms or even simple fatigue are some of the first indications of exposure to carbon monoxide gas. CO emitted by a malfunctioning furnace or appliance may quickly concentrate to higher, deadly levels while victims dismiss early physical indicators.

Risk Factors Fluctuate

Some persons, such as infants and the elderly, may respond quicker to lower levels of CO gas and experience a greater risk of death from exposure. Chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disease and blood conditions like anemia also increase susceptibility.

Home Appliances May Be Hazardous

We take for granted the reliability of familiar household devices like heating equipment and stoves. However, to ensure safety, it’s critical to have these appliances inspected annually by a qualified HVAC technician. Every inspection includes tests for trace amounts of CO gas as well as verifying proper combustion and ventilation.

For more information on the importance of reliable carbon monoxide detection in your home, in Troy and Utica contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Creations/Shutterstock”

Locate the Carbon Monoxide Hazards in Your Home

Aladdin — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 09:00:06 +0000

When it comes to protecting your family there are several safeguards that instantly come to mind, such as dead bolts on exterior doors, smoke detectors on every floor and motion sensor lights outdoors to ward off intruders. There is one more item that should be added to your checklist: carbon monoxide hazards. Help keep your family safe from this silent killer by locating, identifying and helping prevent exposure to CO in your Grosse Pointe Woods home.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

When fossil fuels such as coal, propane or natural gas burn and a sufficient amount of oxygen is available, combustion is complete and carbon dioxide is produced. When there are insufficient levels of oxygen available during this process carbon monoxide is produced; an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas, which can be deadly in the right quantities.

Symptoms of CO poisoning can include:

Drowsiness
Chest Pains
Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting

If you suspect CO exposure in your home, immediately open all doors and windows, evacuate your home, and dial 911 for emergency assistance.

Locating, Identifying And Preventing Carbon Monoxide Hazards

Periodic inspections in and around your home can help reduce your risk of exposure and should include:

Visually inspecting your chimney for signs of damaged or discolored bricks near the opening.
Examining your fireplace for an excessive accumulation of soot, and to confirm there is an upward draft.
Checking the flames on gas burning appliances: a blue flame is desirable, but a yellow or orange flame is a bad sign.
Looking at flue pipes for signs of corrosion or rust.
Ensuring that all fuel burning appliances are vented to the outside, and that vents are free of blockages.
Examining ductwork for signs of cracks or breaks.

To help prevent CO exposure in your home:

Install a CO detector in close proximity to all sleeping areas.
Never run a vehicle in your garage or carport.
Have your HVAC equipment inspected annually.

For more information on how to protect your family from carbon monoxide hazards, call the experts at Aladdin Heating & Cooling, proudly serving residents in the Oxford, Clarkston and Auburn Hills areas of Southeast Michigan.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

CO Poisoning Should Be a Year-Round Concern

Aladdin — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 09:00:36 +0000

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless, making it undetectable and extremely hazardous. Thousands fall ill and hundreds of people die from exposure to this toxic gas every year according to the Centers for Disease Control, even though CO poisoning is totally preventable. The key to prevention is education; read on to find out how to protect your family year round, while ensuring the best indoor air quality.

Symptoms

The symptoms of CO poisoning are not unique, and may mimic the flu or food poisoning. Their speed and severity are dependent upon the concentration and length of exposure, though inhaling amounts as small as 35 ppm or a concentration of 0.0035 percent can trigger a reaction. Common symptoms initially include:

Headache
Nausea
Fatigue
Dizziness
Shortness of breath

And may progress to:

Chest pain
Confusion
Vomiting
Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
Loss of muscle control
Death

Sources

CO is produced when fuels or combustibles such as coal, gas, propane, wood or oil burn. When there is insufficient ventilation, such as in an enclosed area like a garage, house or tent, unsafe amounts of CO may be inhaled, enter the bloodstream and prevent oxygen absorption. Sources may include fumes or exhaust from:

Vehicle exhaust in a garage, carport or other closed-in area
Boats
Gas powered lawn tools
Wood stoves
Gas fireplaces
Leaky chimney
Leaky furnace
Gas stove
Generator
Open fires

Solutions

Never operate a generator indoors or in an enclosed area.
Do not let your vehicle idle in the garage or carport, even if the door is open.
Make sure all appliances and HVAC equipment are installed by a licensed professional.
Install CO detectors on every floor in your home, and in close proximity to the sleeping quarters.
Never use your gas stove, oven or dryer as a source of heat.
Never use fuel-powered camping gear inside your tent, home or garage.

For more tips on preventing CO poisoning or for professional installation of your CO detector, call the experts at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. For more than 60 years we have been proudly serving the residents of the Birmingham, Grosse Pointe and Rochester areas.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Detroit, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about CO poisoning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Why Carbon Monoxide Fumes May Be Drifting Into Your House From The Garage

Aladdin — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:00:46 +0000

Carbon monoxide fumes are unfortunately a common problem in garages. This invisible gas is tasteless and odorless, and occurs when gasoline, wood, coal and other fuels burn incompletely. The exhaust that vehicles produce is filled with carbon monoxide that can drift into your home if attached garages aren’t properly sealed.

Sealing air leaks is the ideal preventative step to ensure unwanted fumes don’t make their way into your living space. Air sealing will also make your home more energy efficient. Weatherstripping installed around doors helps prevent air leaks while inexpensive expanding foam helps fill in cracks. Mastic sealant painted on ductwork seams and joints, insulated ducts and sealed registers all help prevent air loss. For complete protection, consider hiring a professional HVAC company to ensure the attached garage is properly sealed.

In addition to air sealing, consider taking the following steps to reduce the buildup of carbon monoxide fumes in your garage:

Never let vehicles idle in the garage; move the vehicle as soon as possible to the driveway when idling.
Always start weed eaters, mowers and gas-powered equipment after removing them from the garage and never let these items idle inside attached garages.
Never install mechanical systems — such as water heaters or furnaces — that run on fuel inside garages. Studies have shown that homes that have placed these items in attached garages typically test higher for contaminated indoor air than homes where these systems are installed in other locations.
Keep attached garages clean and never store old paint, chemicals or other items that produce fumes in an enclosed space.
Regularly open the garage doors and windows to help air out the enclosed location.

In addition to the above methods, install several carbon monoxide detectors in your home — including over the door connecting the garage to your home — to help alert you if CO fumes being to buildup in your home.

For more information about carbon monoxide fumes and detectors, and how you can prevent this dangerous gas from harming your family, contact the experts at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. For more than 65 years, we have provided affordable and reliable services to the Metro-Detroit area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Carbon Monoxide and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Aladdin Heating services Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, Ferndale, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Madison Heights, Clawson, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, Utica, Shelby Twp., Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, and Clarkston.

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Is Your Family Exposed To Carbon Monoxide?

Aladdin — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:00:02 +0000

Carbon monoxide poisoning kills hundreds of people every year in the United States. Tragically, some of these fatalities occur right here in the Detroit-Metro area of southeastern Michigan. Since most carbon monoxide poisonings take place in the fall and winter months as people turn their furnaces back on, it is important to inspect your heating systems to ensure they are working properly so that carbon monoxide will not seep into your home.

Here are some things that you should inspect and can readily see in your home or apartment. It is important for you to perform this inspection now before the ground is covered with leaves and snow which will make several of these tasks more difficult.

Things to look for when inspecting your home include:

No upward draft in the chimney or appliance vents
Excessive condensation on walls and windows, except in bathrooms
Excessive soot and debris on fuel-burning appliances
Rust and corrosion on flue pipes
Yellowish orange flames on the burners of gas appliances (flames should be blue)
Smoky odors
Excessive soot buildup in fireplaces
Bricks at the top of the chimney that are discolored or damaged
Water leakage at the base of flue pipe or chimney vent

Physical symptoms of being exposed to carbon monoxide include:

Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Exhaustion and fatigue
Drowsiness and dizziness
Flu-like symptoms
Heart palpitations
Chest pain and tightness
Physical collapse and unconsciousness

If you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide:

Immediately turn off all appliances.
Open all windows and doors.
Vacate your house or apartment immediately.
Call 911 and seek help from qualified medical professionals.
Contact a professional HVAC representative to conduct an inspection as soon as possible.

If you are concerned that there is a carbon monoxide problem in your home, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling immediately before a problem becomes an emergency. We have been providing 24-hour service, 365 days a year, to residents in Troy, Grosse Point, Dearborn and southeastern Michigan since 1945, and we know how to keep your family safe.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Where Is The Best Location For Your Home’s Carbon Monoxide Detector?

Aladdin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:00:28 +0000

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is poisonous to humans. Carbon monoxide is produced by the burning of fuels including wood, propane, kerosene, coal and natural gas. Carbon monoxide can also be emitted by equipment like cars or malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, thousands of people are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning every year. It can be difficult to tell if you are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning because at low levels, it resembles the flu with symptoms like nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache and fatigue. At higher levels, symptoms become progressively worse, leading to loss of consciousness and even death.

Carbon monoxide alarms are an effective way of protecting you and your family from poisoning and potential tragedy. There are many options available for consumer carbon monoxide detectors. These alarms are designed to alert you before life-threatening carbon monoxide levels are reached.

Where should you place your home’s carbon monoxide detectors? Here are a few tips:

Place detectors on every level of your home including attached garages and basements.
Place detectors within 10-15 feet of all bedrooms.
Place detectors on wall or ceiling per manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not put detectors near any furnace, fuel-burning heat source or bathroom.
Do not install in direct sunlight, in areas subject to temperature extremes or where they might be obstructed by furniture or draperies.
Detectors may not function as intended if installed near heat vents, air conditioners, ceiling fans or fresh air returns.
Always check manufacturer’s recommendations for installation, testing and replacement information.

For more information on where to install your carbon monoxide detectors, contact Aladdin Heating & Coolingtoday. We have proudly served residents in southeast Michigan since 1945, and we will answer any air quality questions you may have.

Aladding Heating & Cooling services the Detroit, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Choosing A Carbon Monoxide Detector: Features You Should Have And Those You Might Want To Have

Aladdin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:00:58 +0000

A carbon monoxide detector can save your life in the event of a failed furnace heat exchanger or a clogged vent for any gas fired appliance. It provides you with peace of mind knowing that you are protected against a dangerous threat that can be almost impossible to detect otherwise. There are many features available that offer you varied levels of protection.

Some carbon monoxide detectors plug directly into a wall for their power supply but become ineffective if the power goes out. A battery backup is important to have so that you are never without protection. Some models are solely battery-powered, allowing them to be placed more discreetly in your house.

Your carbon monoxide detector should have an audible warning that indicates whether the power supply is running low. It should do the same thing if the sensor is malfunctioning or worn out so that you know you need to either repair or replace it as soon as possible.

There are also units that work as both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. This reduces the number of devices you need in your home, but they have to be hard-wired into your electrical system. And because smoke will naturally rise, they have to be mounted to your ceiling to be effective. Be sure to check the information provided by the manufacturer so that you do not assume that your carbon monoxide detector works as a smoke detector when it does not.

The placement of your CO detector is crucial to its effectiveness. You want it to be close enough to you to be able to wake you up if you are in a deep sleep. It should be about five feet above the floor and no more than 15 feet from your bedroom door.

For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and their features, contact Aladdin Heating & Coolingtoday. We have proudly served residents in southeast Michigan since 1945, and we will gladly answer any air quality questions you have.

Aladding Heating & Cooling services the Detroit, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!