Carbon monoxide (CO) is invisible, odorless, and completely tasteless. It builds up inside your home with no warning signs at all. At high enough concentrations, exposure can be fatal.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide forms when common fuels burn incompletely. Furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and gas appliances are all potential sources inside your home. Even a car running briefly in an attached garage can push CO to dangerous levels indoors.
Other common sources include:
- Air leaks within your furnace, water heater, or fireplace
- Poor or blocked ventilation in your HVAC system
- Generators, power washers, and other fuel-burning equipment used indoors
- Gas ovens left on for extended periods of time
- Charcoal grills and camping stoves operated in enclosed spaces
Health Risks Of Carbon Monoxide Exposure
CO symptoms closely mimic the flu and are easy to dismiss. Knowing the difference could save your life.
At low concentrations, healthy adults experience fatigue and reduced alertness. People with heart conditions may notice chest pain. A key warning sign is that symptoms improve once you leave the home.
At high concentrations, CO causes impaired vision, loss of coordination, severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Prolonged exposure leads to unconsciousness and death. Children, elderly adults, and pets face the greatest risk.
Steps You Can Take To Stay Safe
Perform Regular HVAC Maintenance
Dirty or clogged air filters force your heating system to work harder and burn fuel less efficiently. Replacing filters regularly is the simplest thing you can do. Professional HVAC inspections every six months protect both your equipment and your family’s health.
Routine HVAC maintenance includes checks on heat exchangers, combustion quality, and ventilation. These inspections catch CO risks before they become emergencies. Scheduling service twice a year is a small investment that pays off in safety and efficiency.
Fuel-burning appliances like water heaters and furnaces should be serviced regularly as well. During winter months, inspect your vents and chimneys for blockages. Snow, debris, and animal nesting can redirect dangerous gases back into your living space.
Take The Right Precautions
Never run a car, generator, or power washer inside a closed garage or enclosed space. Keep all fuel-burning equipment outdoors and positioned away from doors and windows. Charcoal grills, camping lanterns, and portable stoves belong outside only.
Good ventilation is the baseline for any space where fuel-burning equipment operates. Check dryer vents and exhaust outlets each season for buildup or blockages. A little prevention goes a long way toward keeping CO out of your home.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
A CO detector is the most important safety device you can add to your home. Modern detectors are affordable, simple to install, and many now connect to your smartphone for real-time alerts. Place one on every level of your home, with priority given to areas near sleeping spaces.
Carbon monoxide strikes most often while people sleep because the senses cannot detect it. A detector near bedrooms gives your family the best possible chance to respond in time. Replace units every five to seven years or per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Look for UL-listed models that meet current residential safety standards.
Schedule A Professional CO Safety Inspection
A licensed HVAC technician can identify risks in your system that are impossible to spot without professional tools. Alpine Temperature Control offers comprehensive HVAC services throughout Southern Utah, including full safety evaluations for your heating and cooling equipment.
The team has protected Southern Utah homes since 1972. Learn more about Alpine Temperature Control and what makes them a trusted name in the St. George area.
Do not wait to protect your family from carbon monoxide. Visit the team at 1141 E 540 N, St. George, UT 84770 or submit a request through the contact form online. Call (435) 673-5746 today to schedule your home safety inspection.
