HVAC

The first cold night of the year usually goes the same way. Someone turns up the thermostat, the furnace kicks on for the first time since spring, and the house picks up a faint dusty smell. That smell is usually just dust burning off inside the system after months of sitting.

What you cannot smell is the bigger concern. Carbon monoxide (CO) has no color, odor or taste. In homes with gas heat, an older furnace that has not been checked in a while is one of the places it can come from.

Why CO Problems Show Up When the Heat Comes On

CO forms when fuel does not burn completely. A gas furnace, water heater, fireplace or wall heater that is working properly sends combustion gases outside through a vent. When something is wrong, like a cracked part, a blocked flue or burners that need adjustment, CO can end up in your living space instead.

Timing matters. According to CDC data, 36% of unintentional carbon monoxide deaths in 2015 happened in December, January or February. Homes stay closed up, heaters run longer, and problems that went unnoticed all year finally have the conditions to become dangerous.

Why Older Homes Carry More Risk

Furnaces wear out like anything else. In older homes, these are the issues that come up most:

• Cracked heat exchangers. Years of heating up and cooling down make the metal expand and contract until it can crack. A crack can let combustion gases mix with the air circulating through your home.
• Vent and flue problems. Rust, loose connections and debris can block or disconnect the flue that carries exhaust outside.
• Poor combustion. Dirty or misadjusted burners can produce more CO. A yellow or flickering flame where it should be steady and blue is a common warning sign.
• Older gas appliances. Wall heaters, floor furnaces and water heaters in closets or garages may have been installed under older codes.
• Missing or expired CO alarms. Since July 1, 2011, California law has required CO alarms in existing single-family homes with a fossil fuel burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. Alarms also have a limited service life, so check the date on the back of yours.

Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

CO poisoning symptoms are often described as flu-like. The CDC lists headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion as the most common. One telling clue is when several people in the house feel sick at once, or symptoms ease up after you leave home.

Around your equipment, watch for:

• Soot or staining around the furnace, vents or water heater
• Heavy condensation on windows near gas appliances
• A pilot light that keeps going out
• A yellow or flickering burner flame
• A CO alarm that sounds

If your CO alarm goes off, get everyone outside to fresh air, including pets, and call 911. Do not go back in until emergency responders say it is safe.

What a Heating Safety Check Should Cover

A real safety check goes beyond making sure warm air comes out of the vents. A qualified technician should:

• Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks and corrosion
• Check the flue and venting for blockages and proper draft
• Clean and adjust the burners
• Check the safety controls, thermostat and air filter
• Flag any concerns with your CO alarms

Heating Service From 20/20 Home Services

20/20 Plumbing & Heating has been employee-owned and operated since 2015, and every technician is a part-owner of the company. Our 20/20 Home Services team brings that same standard to homeowners in Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Perris and surrounding areas.

Our HVAC technicians handle furnace repair, heating tune-ups and system replacement. As an Authorized Carrier Dealer, we can also walk you through new equipment options if your furnace is near the end of its life. Give us a call and we can perform a safety check in your home to put your mind at ease.

At 20/20, safety is not just a word, it’s a way of life.

Ask About Our November Heating Special

Call 20/20 Home Services at (833) 949-2120 to learn about this month’s heating special, or schedule service online. A quick check now is a lot easier than an emergency call in January.