Any appliance that burns fuel can produce carbon monoxide, an odourless gas that is dangerous in an enclosed home. The reassuring part is that a few simple habits keep your family safe. Here is what every BC homeowner with gas heating should know.
What carbon monoxide is and where it comes from
Carbon monoxide, often shortened to CO, is a colourless, odourless gas produced when fuel does not burn completely. In a home it can come from a gas furnace, a gas fireplace, a water heater or any other fuel-burning appliance. When these appliances are working properly and vented correctly, the gas is carried safely outside. Problems arise when something goes wrong with combustion or venting.
The warning signs to watch for
Carbon monoxide affects people physically, and the symptoms can resemble the flu without a fever: headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and confusion that often ease when you leave the house. There are also appliance clues. A burner flame that is yellow or orange instead of crisp blue, soot or staining around an appliance, and unusual condensation on windows near a heater can all point to a combustion problem.
Where to install detectors
Working carbon monoxide alarms are your most important line of defence, because you cannot see or smell the gas. Install them on every level of the home and near sleeping areas so an alarm will wake you. Test them monthly, replace the batteries as needed, and replace the entire unit on the schedule the manufacturer specifies, since the sensors wear out over time.
What to do if your alarm sounds
If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, treat it as real. Get everyone, including pets, out of the house and into fresh air immediately, then call your local emergency services from outside. Do not go back inside to investigate or open windows first. Let the professionals confirm the home is safe before anyone re-enters.
How maintenance prevents carbon monoxide problems
Most CO risks from heating equipment are preventable with regular professional maintenance. An annual inspection checks the furnace heat exchanger for cracks, confirms the venting is clear and intact, and verifies the appliance is burning cleanly. Pairing that yearly service with working detectors is the combination that keeps a gas-heated home safe.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I put carbon monoxide detectors?
Install them on every level of the home and near sleeping areas so an alarm can wake you. Test them monthly and replace the whole unit on the schedule the manufacturer specifies.
What are the signs of a carbon monoxide problem?
Flu-like symptoms without a fever, such as headache, dizziness and nausea that ease when you leave the house, plus appliance clues like a yellow flame, soot, or unusual condensation near a heater.
How do I prevent carbon monoxide from my furnace?
Have the furnace professionally inspected each year, including the heat exchanger and venting, and keep working carbon monoxide alarms in the home. That combination is the best prevention.
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