| Q: |
Do
all furnaces, space heaters, boilers, water heaters,
fireplaces, etc..., make carbon monoxide? |
| A: |
All
gas, oil, wood and coal appliances can produce
acceptable levels of CO. Appliances that are
vented should never produces levels that are detectable
in the space and internally should produce less than 100
ppm of CO. Unvented appliances do vent CO into the
space, therefore the level of CO they produce should be
50 ppm of CO and even less. These should only be
operated with proper ventilation and for short periods. |
 |
| Q: |
Do
ovens or cook stoves produce carbon monoxide? |
| A: |
All
ovens produce carbon monoxide, even electric ones.
Proper ventilation is recommended especially during warm
up and self cleaning operation. Carbon monoxide
increases on gas ranges each time the oven door is
opened. |
|
| Q: |
If
my equipment is producing carbon monoxide, does it have
to be replaced? |
| A: |
Most
appliances that are making high levels of CO can be
repaired or adjusted. Based on age or efficiency,
repairs need to be compared to replacement costs and
overall savings and safety. |
|
| Q: |
Do
cracked heat exchangers make carbon monoxide? |
| A: |
Usually
the small cracks that are found in heat exchangers do
not cause CO to be produced, while larger holes or
opening can. A cracked heat exchanger is a sign of
poor operation and is a defect that needs to be repaired
before it becomes dangerous. As long as the
furnace is making minimal levels of CO and not spilling
into the space, the equipment is safe to operate. |
|
| Q: |
I
had someone look at my furnace and water heater and they
said it looked like they were operating correctly.
Are they safe? |
| A: |
Anyone
that evaluates the operation of equipment by sight alone
is negligent, ill-advised and poorly skilled and is
jeopardizing your safety. |
|
| Q: |
Are
most contractors properly trained in carbon monoxide
testing? |
| A: |
Unfortunately
there are many contractors that are not trained in the
proper procedures for CO testing, and many that do not
even have proper testing equipment (digital CO
analyzer). |
|
| Q: |
How
do I know if the person checking or servicing my
equipment is qualified to do CO testing? |
| A: |
They
must have a CO analyzer.
They will inform you that CO testing is part of the
service.
They will have CO testing listed on their work ticket or
invoice.
They may ask if you have other appliances to be tested.
They will test the space and each appliance
specifically.
They will show you the actual readings they take.
They will be listed with C-MAC and/or have proof of
approved training. |
|
| Q: |
Do
Fire Departments, Utilities and Contractors all have the
same abilities to test for carbon monoxide? |
| A: |
They
all have the same opportunity to have the same
knowledge, but a heating contractor should have more
qualifications to pinpoint the exact problem and repair
it, because that is their main business. |
|
| Q: |
Is
rust on the equipment normal, and can it indicate a CO
problem? |
| A: |
Rust
is the sign of an appliance not venting properly, which
over time can cause a serious CO problem to develop. |
|
| Q: |
I
had someone check in my house for carbon monoxide
without checking the appliances. Am I safe? |
| A: |
Carbon
monoxide is an intermittent problem in many cases.
It occurs normally at its highest levels at night when
the building is closed up and little traffic is coming
in and out. Checking in the space only provides
minimal information and guarantees very little. |
