Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning kills hundreds of Americans each year. It also results in more than 100,000 people being sent to the emergency room for treatment. There are a growing number of all-electric houses in California that don’t have any potential sources of carbon monoxide.
However, the threat of carbon monoxide is still very real if you have any appliance, such as a furnace, water heater, or stove, that runs on natural gas or propane. Wood-burning fireplaces and wood pellet stoves also carry a risk of potentially fatal carbon monoxide exposure. By following these simple tips, you can protect your family by reducing the risk of carbon monoxide seeping into your home.
Make Sure You Have Carbon Monoxide Detectors Throughout Your Home
If you have any potential sources of carbon monoxide in your house, it’s crucial that you have CO detectors. Detectors should be installed on every floor of your home and outside every sleeping area, within about 10–15 feet of bedroom doors.
It’s best not to install detectors right next to gas appliances, since some combustion byproducts during startup can occasionally cause nuisance alarms. Instead, follow the manufacturer’s placement guidelines and ensure detectors are mounted high on the wall or ceiling, away from obstructions that restrict airflow.
Most places in the U.S. require new buildings to conform to International Building Code (IBC) regulations regarding the location of carbon monoxide detectors and alarms. While you don’t have to update an existing house to meet these regulations, it’s definitely worth doing for your family’s safety.
Switch to Hardwired CO Detectors
When it comes to carbon monoxide detectors, you have the choice to install battery-powered units or hardwired units. Battery-powered detectors are less expensive and something you can easily hang on the wall or ceiling yourself in just a few minutes. If you opt for hardwired CO detectors, you’ll need to have an electrician install them unless your house already has the necessary wiring in place.
Although they cost more, hardwired units have two major advantages that will make your home safer:
- They’re interconnected, so if one goes off, all of them sound the alarm at the same time.
- They’re powered by household electricity and backed up by a battery, so they continue working even during an outage as long as the battery is maintained.
If you rely only on non-interconnected, battery-powered units, there’s always the chance you might not hear an alarm that goes off on the other side of the house.
Test All CO Detectors Monthly
Since 2009, all carbon monoxide detectors sold in the U.S. have been required to include some type of end-of-life warning. Some units display an error code, while others start beeping every 30 seconds — the same signal used for low batteries. If beeping continues after replacing the batteries, the sensor is failing and the unit should be replaced.
The concern is that sometimes a CO detector can fail unexpectedly. That’s why it’s important to test all of the units in your house monthly. Pressing the test button should make the unit beep several times. If nothing happens, replace the detector immediately.
Most CO detectors last 5–7 years, while higher-quality models are rated for up to 10 years. A sticker or label on the back of the unit will show either the manufacture date or expiration date. If any detector is nearing expiration, replace it promptly to avoid sudden failure.
Have All Gas-Burning Appliances Inspected and Serviced Regularly
It’s a common misconception that gas-burning appliances always produce carbon monoxide. When natural gas burns fully, the main byproducts are water vapor and carbon dioxide, with only trace amounts of CO. However, if a furnace, water heater, or other appliance malfunctions, incomplete combustion can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
The best way to prevent this is to have a certified professional service and inspect your gas appliances regularly. Regular maintenance ensures clean combustion, proper venting, and that all built-in safety features are working as intended. This greatly reduces the chance of CO buildup inside your home.
Upgrade to a Heat Pump for Heating
The most effective way to eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is to remove potential sources. That means replacing gas appliances with electric alternatives.
Traditional electric furnaces and water heaters are an option, but they may raise your energy bills. Heat pumps, however, are all-electric and much more energy efficient. In California’s mild climate, they can often heat your home for less than a gas furnace, while also cutting your carbon footprint.
Hybrid heat pump water heaters are another great alternative to gas or standard electric models. They use refrigerant to draw heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the water inside the tank. For times of high demand, they also include electric heating elements that act as a backup to ensure you always have hot water.
Contact Your Local Professionals
Whether you’re looking to upgrade to a heat pump or just need to get your furnace serviced, Greiner Heating and Air is ready to help. We’re a family-owned company with more than 30 years of experience serving homeowners throughout Solano and Yolo counties. We have a team of experts standing by to meet your heating, cooling, and water heater needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.
