Tune Up Furnace to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Danger

PEARL RIVER, NY Dec. 12, 2011 — As the temperature drops and the winter heating season begins to pick up, O&R reminds you that a key factor in heating safely is the proper maintenance of your heating system by a qualified heating contractor to help identify and address any carbon monoxide issues.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that is invisible, odorless, colorless and tasteless. It is formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels such as heating oil, wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, propane and charcoal. When heating units or motors are not working properly, or if exhaust fumes and chimneys are not properly vented outdoors, carbon monoxide can accumulate in your home, building or garage. The dangers of CO can be reduced by the installation of approved CO detectors in your home, which provide early warning of accumulated CO before it reaches a dangerous level.

Breathing even small amounts of carbon monoxide can result in headaches, dizziness or nausea. Prolonged exposure can result in more severe illness, or even death. If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately open the windows in your home and seek medical attention. Call your heating contractor to repair the source of the problem.

Some signs of a CO problem are:

• Stale, stuffy air with high indoors humidity.
• Fallen soot from a fireplace chimney or furnace flue.
• No draft in the chimney or flue.

To do your part to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Never use a gas oven or range to heat a room.
• Never leave a vehicle or gasoline-powered equipment running in a garage, even with the garage door open.
• Operate a portable electric generator outdoors away from air intakes to the building.

To prevent a carbon monoxide problem, make sure that a plumber or qualified heating contractor services your furnace each year to:

• Clean and adjust your heating system's thermostat.
• Check the flue to avoid carbon monoxide leaking into living spaces.
• Properly lubricate blower motor, fan motor and circulator pump.
• Check operating efficiency of heating controls.
• Replace cracked, worn or frayed blower belts.
• Clean or replace filter.
• Remove dust or lint from furnace vents, registers and cold air returns.