New York weather is extreme. The winters can be frigid. The summers can bring unexpected heat waves. Because New Yorkers face a wide range of temperatures, our homes must be ready for anything. One important aspect to a comfortable, energy-efficient home is having a good attic ventilation system in place. Continue Reading…
Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet
The Hazard
What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it produced in the home?
CO is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with gas, oil, kerosene, or wood may produce CO. If such appliances ar not installed, maintained, and used properly, CO may accumulate to dangerous levels.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning and why are these symptoms particularly dangerous?
Breathing CO causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and weakness in healthy people. CO also causes sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and disorientation. At very high levels, it causes loss of consciousness and death.
This is particularly dangerous because CO effects often are not recognized. CO is odorless and some of the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu or other common illnesses.
Are some people more affected by exposure to CO than others?
CO exposures especially affect unborn babies, infants, and people with anemia or a history of heart disease. Breathing low levels of the chemical can cause fatigue and increase chest pain in people with chronic heart disease.
The Data
How many people die from CO poisoning each year?
In 1989, the most recent year for which statistics are available, thee were about 220 deaths from CO poisoning associated with gas-fired appliances, about 30 CO deaths associated with solid-fueled appliances (including charcoal grills), and about 45 CO deaths associated with liquid- fueled heaters.
How many people are poisoned from CO each year?
Nearly 5,000 people in the United States are treated in hospital emergency rooms for CO poisoning; this number is believed to be an underestimate because many people with CO symptoms mistake the symptoms for the flu or are misdiagnosed and never get treated.
CO Prevention
How can production of dangerous levels of CO be prevented?
Dangerous levels of CO can be prevented by proper appliance maintenance, installation, and use.
Maintenance
A qualified service technician should check your home’s central and room heating appliances (including water heaters and gas dryers) annually. The technician should look at the electrical and mechanical components of appliances, such as thermostat controls and automatic safety devices.
- Chimneys and flues should be checked for blockages, corrosion, and loose connections.
- Individual appliances should be serviced regularly. Kerosene and gas space heaters (vented and unvented) should be cleaned and inspected to insure proper operation.
- CPSC recommends finding a reputable service company in the phone book or asking your utility company to suggest a qualified service technician.
Installation
Proper installation is critical to the safe operation of combustion appliances. All new appliances have installation instructions that should be followed exactly. Local building codes should be followed as well.
- Vented appliances should be vented properly, according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Adequate combustion air should be provided to assure complete combustion.
- All combustion appliances should be installed by professionals.
Appliance Use
Follow manufacturer’s directions for safe operation.
- Make sure the room where an unvented gas or kerosene space heater is used is well ventilated; doors leading to another room should be open to insure proper ventilation.
- Never use an unvented combustion heater overnight or in a room where you are sleeping.
Are there signs that might indicate improper appliance operation?
Yes, these are:
- Decreasing hot water supply
- Furnace unable to heat house or runs constantly
- Sooting, especially on appliances
- Unfamiliar or burning odor
- Increased condensation inside windows
Are there visible signs that might indicate a CO problem?
Yes, these are:
- Improper connections on vents and chimneys
- Visible rust or stains on vents and chimneys
- An appliance that makes unusual sounds or emits an unusual smell
- An appliance that keeps shutting off (Many new appliances have safety components attached that prevent operation if an unsafe condition exists. If an appliance stops operating, it may be because a safety device is preventing a dangerous condition. Therefore, don’t try to operate an appliance that keeps shutting off; call a service person instead.)
Are there other ways to prevent CO poisoning?
Yes, these are:
- Never use a range or oven to heat the living areas of the home
- Never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in the home
- Never keep a car running in an attached garage
CO Detection
Can CO be detected?
Yes, CO can be detected with CO detectors that meet the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2034.
Since the toxic effect of CO is dependent upon both CO concentration and length of exposure, long-term exposure to a low concentration can produce effects similar to short term exposure to a high concentration.
Detectors that meet the UL standard measure both high CO concentrations over short periods of time and low CO concentrations over long periods of time. The effects of CO can be cumulative over time
Detectors sound an alarm before the level of CO in a person’s blood would become crippling
Detectors that meet the UL 2034 standard currently cost between $35 and $80.
Where should the detector be installed?
CO gases distribute evenly and fairly quickly throughout the house; therefore, a CO detector should be installed on the wall or ceiling in sleeping area/s but outside individual bedrooms to alert occupants who are sleeping.
Aren’t there safety devices already on some appliances? And if so, why is a CO detector needed?
Vent safety shutoff systems have been required on furnaces and vented heaters sine the late 1980s. They protect against blocked or disconnected vents or chimneys.
Oxygen depletion sensors (ODS) have also been installed on unvented gas space heaters since the 1980s. ODS protect against the production of CO caused by insufficient oxygen for proper combustion.
These devices (ODSs and vent safety shutoff systems) are not a substitute for regular professional servicing, and many older, potentially CO-producing appliances may not have such devices. Therefore, a CO detector is still important in any home as another line of defense.
Are there other CO detectors that are less expensive?
There are inexpensive cardboard or plastic detectors that change color and do not sound an alarm and have a limited useful life. They require the occupant to look at the device to determine if CO is present. CO concentrations can build up rapidly while occupants are asleep, and these devices would not sound an alarm to wake them.
Consumer Protection Safety Commission’s Role
- CPSC worked closely with UL to develop a safety standard for CO detectors (UL 2034).
- CPSC embarked on an extensive public awareness campaign in 1993 to reach consumers and educate them about CO through the media. Activities included a message from President Clinton declaring the last week of September “CO Safety Awareness Week.” CPSC also developed stories for television, radio, and newspapers, as well as brochures and posters for consumers.
- CPSC is proposing that the national model building code organizations include a provision for the installation of state of the art CO detectors in all new residential construction. The proposal calls for installation in sleeping areas, but outside individual bedrooms.
- Under CPSC’s proposal, battery-operated units would be allowed only in existing homes, not new construction. Even homes with no permanently-installed fuel-burning appliances would have to install them because CO deaths have been associated with the use of portable kerosene heaters, wood-burning stoves, charcoal grills wrongly used indoors, and auto fumes from an attached garage.
- CPSC staff is working with state and local code jurisdictions to incorporate CO detector requirements into state and local legislation.
- CPSC is working with the National Fire Protection Association to develop a national installation standard.
CO Detector Requirements in the U.S.
- On September 15, 1993, Chicago, IL became one of the first cities in the nation to adopt an ordinance requiring the installation of CO detectors that bear the mark of a nationally-recognized testing laboratory in all new single-family homes and in existing single-family residences that are being equipped with new oil or gas combustion furnaces.
- Kingston, NY has approved a code to require the installation of CO detectors in multiple dwellings with four or more dwelling units.
- Bel Air, TX requires CO detectors in some single-family dwellings.
- The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) requires CO detectors in motor homes made after September 1, 1993. RVIA requires CO detectors in all recreational vehicles that are motorized and in towable recreational vehicles that have a generator or are prepped for a generator. RVIA’s membership includes approximately 90% of all U.S. recreational vehicle manufacturers.
Air Returns are an Important Part of Your HVAC System
Probably few of us give much thought to how our heating & air conditioning system is set up. As long as we stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, we’re fine. There are a few things, however, that we ought to know to prevent problems. A major item to be aware of is our home air returns.
In most homes, air returns are located on or near the floor. Depending on the type in your particular home, you may not be able to tell an air return from a heat or cooling vent. That’s fine as long as they aren’t blocked and you’re having no problems.
There are two types of methods to circulate the air in a home. The first is a gravity system where cooler air near the floor falls into the air return and ducting. The second is a forced-air type. A system fan creates a suction that helps pull air into the returns.
Air returns in any heating & air conditioning system do a couple of important things. First, they keep us comfortable. The air falls or is pulled back into the system to be recycled. In an optimum situation, it is then blown into a room at one area, circulating through the room, going back again at roughly the same rate to be reprocessed. This action helps maintain a constant temperature.
As we and the air in a room move, dust, pollen, pet dander and microbes also move through the air. That air enters the return, and get processed and filtered through the heating & air conditioning system, and returns to the room as both clean and comfortable air.
A proper heating & air conditioning system keeps a balance between air coming into and air leaving a room. If a room feels stuffy in either the summer or winter, there may not be enough air returns in the room. Another reason might be that a return is blocked. Always be sure the air returns are open for good circulation.
T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, please download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Tagged air conditioning system, circulation, vent
Good Ventilation Systems Provide Good Indoor Air Quality
There is nothing more important than the safety of your family. You would like to think that in the confines of your home, you would have nothing to fear. However, the is a potential danger lurking right inside your house. Indoor air pollution is more of a threat to most of us than the smog of polluted cities and the only way to protect your loved ones is through proper ventilation systems.
Houses today are built “tight” to keep the air inside from leaking out. The pursuit of energy efficiency, though, has put at risk from stale air that does not circulate properly. The newer homes being built today are more susceptible to mold and mildew and dangerous gases like carbon monoxide or radon.
The telltale signs of poor ventilation are moisture that gathers on the windows, mildew on walls and foul odors which linger. A temporary solution can be just opening windows to air the home out. However, this does not provide conditioned air at the proper humidity, and can actually cause additional problems for your indoor air quality.
A better solution is installation of one of a number of good ventilation systems. Our skilled technicians can evaluate your home and recommend which of the available state-of-the-art ventilation systems will work best in your home. Quality ventilation systems start out at about $500 and will only cost $10-15 per month to operate.
Some of the best ventilation systems on the market today include energy saving features which can capture the warm air before it leaves your home and recycle it into the fresh air coming back in. The new models also have features which can remove moisture from the air which is perfect for New York’s humid summers.
These exchange units usually pay for themselves in a short time because your current heating and air conditioning units will be running less. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has put together an excellent guide for home ventilation solutions. To get it, click here.
T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, please download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is extremely hard to detect. It is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, so there is no way for you to tell that you are breathing it in. There are a number of different ways the gas can enter your home. Depending on the levels, you can have both short term and long term effects, but you should know that if you are exposed to too much of this gas, it can be fatal. You should buy a CO detector and check it to make sure it is always working to avoid any health risks.
Carbon monoxide goes by the nickname the “silent killer,” because most people who are breathing it in don’t even realize that they are, and they often fall into a deep unconsciousness and die. This gas attacks the oxygen in the body after it enters the lungs. It displaces the oxygen from the bloodstream, which eventually prevents oxygen from reaching the heart and other major organs. Even if you don’t die, this deadly gas can have a long-term negative effect on your health. This type of poisoning can occur in both your home and even in your car.
Improper ventilation of the home is one of the ways that carbon monoxide can enter your home and affect the inhabitants. If you have blockage in the ventilation to your flu pipe, kitchen, or a chimney, you might experience the gas leaking into your home. The incomplete combustion of gas, wood, propane and other natural gases can also cause a problem and be a danger to you and your family. Heaters or furnaces that have improper ventilation pose a risk as well. Gas being released in an enclosed space, such as leaving your car on in a closed garage can be extremely dangerous.
How do you know if you have carbon monoxide poisoning? The levels of this gas are measured in PPM, or parts per million. The higher the level of the “silent killer” in your home and the longer you are exposed, the more severe your symptoms will become. At the beginning stages, you’ll be feeling fatigued, have a headache, and some slight chest pain. If you are exposed to CO for a longer period of time, you’ll feel dizzy and nauseous, and you might even lose some coordination. You will continue to weaken and may even experience convulsions. The last stage of poisoning is falling unconscious.
To prevent carbon monoxide from coming into your home and causing health problems for you and your family, there are a number of steps you can take. The first is to make sure you have us check your heating and cooling systems on a regular basis. You should also have any gas-burning appliances checked to make sure they are working properly. Make sure if you’re burning any type of fuel that there is adequate ventilation in the room or rooms. You should also purchase a CO detector.
T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, please download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
