Combustion heating when maintained properly is a safe, viable option for household comfort. If neglected, however, certain aspects of your system can become dangerous to your family. Ventilation issues, cracked combustion chambers and duct leaks all can lead to backdrafting, circulating harmful gases such as carbon monoxide through your home. If this were to occur in your home, carbon monoxide detection could save your family.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can affect the proper transport of oxygen through your blood and to the vital organs of your body. Thus, exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can be dangerous, with extreme cases sometimes resulting in death.
The stakes are high, but the solution is simple and affordable – install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. These detection devices should be installed no lower than eye level and no higher than 10 feet. If only one detector is to be installed, place it within 15 feet of where you sleep. This way, you’ll be alerted to low-level emissions, even if you’re asleep.
For maximum protection, we recommend installing a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. You may also take care to place detectors near possible threats, such as your furnace or woodstove. For added protection, install multiple carbon monoxide detectors with a wireless feature. This enables you to link your system, so that a basement alarm, for example, will set off alarms throughout the household.
Other considerations include:
- Type – While battery-operated systems are available, more features tend to be included with electricity-dependent detectors.
- Battery backup – If you’re using an electricity-driven model, be sure to find one with battery backup. This will keep your family safe during power outages, a time when many homeowners in the San Joaquin Valley use alternative heat sources such as woodstoves and kerosene heaters.
Don’t let carbon monoxide endanger your family. Install CO detectors in your home. For help in making your selection, speak to one of our trained technicians. Contact Donald P. Dick Air Conditioningfor an expert consultation.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about CO detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Donald P Dick Air Conditioning services the greater Fresno area in California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!