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FAQs on Carbon Monoxide
FAQs on Carbon Monoxide
 1.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless and
odorless gas that can be emitted by
home appliances and can cause
illness and death. Even low levels
of carbon monoxide have been shown
to be dangerous to all especially
those with heart and lung disease,
the elderly, pregnant woman, unborn
children and children. Carbon
monoxide poisoning produces flu-like
symptoms, headache, sore throat,
rapid heart beats, memory loss,
thinking difficulties, and
sensitivity to light, sound, smell,
etc. Out of approximately 12,000
patients in the U.S. each year with
flu-like symptoms, about 2,000 of
them are thought to actually be
suffering from carbon monoxide
poisoning.
2. Do all space heaters, boilers,
water heaters, and fireplaces
produce carbon Monoxide?
All gas, oil, and coal appliances
can produce acceptable levels of
carbon monoxide. Appliances that are
properly vented should never produce
detectable levels and internally
should produce less than 100 ppm of
carbon monoxide. Un-vented
appliances do give off carbon
monoxide into the area; therefore
the level that they produce should
be 50 ppm of carbon monoxide or
less. These appliances should only
be operated with proper ventilation
an for short periods of time.
3. Do ovens and stoves produce
carbon monoxide?
All ovens produce carbon monoxide,
even electric ones. Proper
ventilation is recommended,
especially during warm-up and
self-cleaning operation. Carbon
monoxide from gas ranges increases
each time the oven door is opened.
4. Do cracked heat exchangers
emit carbon monoxide?
Usually the small cracks that are
found in heat exchangers do not emit
carbon monoxide. Large holes or
openings, however, can produce
carbon monoxide. A cracked heat
exchanger is a sign of poor
operation and is a defect that that
needs to be repaired before it
becomes dangerous. If the furnace is
emitting minimal levels of carbon
monoxide into the area, the
equipment is safe to operate.
5. If my appliances or heating
system are producing carbon
monoxide, do they need to be
replaced?
Most appliances that are emitting
high levels of carbon monoxide can
be repaired or adjusted. Based on
age or efficiency, repair cost needs
to be compared to replacement cost
and overall savings and safety.
6. If my carbon monoxide detector
doesn't go off, am I safe to assume
that there are not dangerous levels
of carbon monoxide in my home?
The standard carbon monoxide
detectors on the market today will
not alarm the homeowner of the
presence of these low levels of
carbon monoxide. The outdoor EPA
carbon monoxide limit is 9 ppm. The
only way that homeowners can detect
these low levels of carbon monoxide
in their homes is by contacting a
Certified Analyst, like Clover
Heating & Cooling, who has the
knowledge and expertise to locate
and correct the problem, or by
purchasing a
Low-Level Carbon Monoxide Monitor.
7. I had someone look at my furnace
and water heater and he said that
they are working properly. Are they
safe to believe?
Anyone that evaluates the operation
of equipment by sight alone is
negligent, ill advised, poorly
skilled, and jeopardizing your and
your family's safety.
8. Are most contractors trained in
carbon monoxide testing?
Unfortunately there are many
contractors who are not trained in
the proper procedures for carbon
monoxide detection and repair, and
many do not have a digital carbon
monoxide analyzer, the proper
testing equipment. Be sure that your
contractor is qualified!
9. How do I know that the contractor
checking or servicing my equipment
is qualified in carbon monoxide
testing and repair?
The contractor must:
 Have a digital carbon monoxide
analyzer.
Inform you that carbon monoxide
testing is part of their regular
service.
Have carbon monoxide testing
listed on their work ticket or
invoice.
Ask you if you have other
appliances to be tested.
Test the space and each appliance
specifically.
Show you actual readings that they
take.
Be listed with C-MAC or have proof
of approved training.
10. Do fire departments, utilities
and contractors all have the same
abilities to test for carbon
monoxide?
They all have the same opportunity
to have the proper knowledge, but
heating contractors should have more
qualifications to pin-point the
exact problem and repair it, because
that is their main business.
11. Is rust on my equipment normal
and can it indicate a carbon
monoxide problem?
Rust is a sign that an appliance is
not venting properly, which, over
time, can cause a serious carbon
monoxide problem to occur.
12. I had someone check my house for
carbon monoxide without checking my
appliances. Am I safe?
Carbon monoxide is an intermittent
problem in many cases. It occurs at
its highest levels at night when the
house or building is closed up, with
little or no traffic in and out.
Checking the space only provides
minimal information and guarantees
very little.
13. Where can I purchase a carbon
monoxide monitor?
Clover carries the
NSI 3000
Low-Level CO Monitor, one of the
most sensitive CO alarms available.
See the specifications for this
monitor and order it on-line
directly from our site.
If you are looking for a certified carbon monoxide testing contractor
in New York please call us today at
(914) 631- 6744 or click on the link
below:
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