The Dangers of a Cracked Heat Exchanger
Everyone wants heat when old man winter arrives in the fall. Many times we take it for granted that when the temperature falls all we have to do is go to the thermostat and turn the heat on. Usually, this is not a problem. We turn the thermostat on and the heat comes on. Whether we have boilers or a furnaces at the beginning of the season when we do first turn the furnace on we have a slight burning odor which comes from the system. Usually, many of us ignore this odor because it does eventually, usually, go away. This is normal and is usually dust particles that have accumulated on the furnace's heat exchanger burning off. How many people actually think it is carbon monoxide and called a professional HVAC technician to make sure it is not a problem? There are some people who do call but a majority of people just ignore and enjoy the heat being produced by their furnace. After all, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless byproduct of burning fossil fuels so even if an unsafe condition existed with their furnace they would probably never know it. This is why it is important, before old man winter arrives, to call a professional, qualified furnace technician to inspect the furnace. First, the furnace technician can make sure that the furnace will start and second of all the furnace technician can make sure you will have a safely operating furnace. You want to make sure the furnace does not have a cracked heat exchanger and a good qualified HVAC technician will look for a furnace cracked heat exchanger. Heat safety is paramount so have your furnaces inspected immediately. Have a safe heating season.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Heat safety is important. A carbon monoxide detector installed in the home is a very good idea. In fact, many believe it should be a required item to go along with any type of fossil fuel burning appliance including a furnace. Remember, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas which is highly toxic to humans (and animals). You will never see it or smell it but you will feel the effects of it. It can make you physically ill and while it may happen all at once and possible incapacitate you, chances are it can also happen very slowly. At first the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can seem mild but as time goes on and you absorb more of the gas into your system the effects can be crippling. If you have a fossil fuel burning appliance, including a gas or oil furnace, it is important that you install a carbon monoxide detector so that you can enjoy a safe and healthy heating season. Gas furnaces can be safe for providing heat safely to you and your dwelling but let us not take it for granted.
Anyone who has an oil or gas boiler, oil or gas furnace, gas logs whether they be propane or natural gas, a gas stove or oven, any wood burning appliance or fire place, or appliance or heating device that burns fossil fuels you need a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home or business. Tragedies including death and severe sickness occur every year because of carbon monoxide poisoning. It does not have to be from a fossil fuel burning appliance that causes the carbon monoxide danger. It can be from someone starting their car in a garage without opening the garage door. The person may get by with this for a while but eventually the carbon monoxide infiltrates the house and a build up can occur. There was story reported on the news after a hurricane. A man set up a portable gas generator because the electricity was out because of the storm. He set the generator up next the house too close to a window. The wind blew all the exhaust gases from the generator into the room where the window was open and the carbon monoxide killed his daughter. There are too many tragic stories to tell about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Take necessary precautions when dealing with any fossil fuel burning appliance or device and get a carbon monoxide detector. Play it safe so you don't make the news.
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