Carbon Monoxide Testing
Carbon Monoxide Testing in Washington, DC, Maryland & Virginia
What is carbon monoxide and why should you care?
Often referred to as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas that can be extremely toxic to humans and animals. It can be formed anywhere where there is a poorly ventilated heating implement – basically, carbon monoxide forms when there is not enough oxygen present for certain carbon containing fuels to burn completely. Unfortunately, the most common sources of carbon monoxide are furnaces and heaters (oil, coal and gas), water heaters, stoves and car exhaust – all essential parts of our homes and daily lives.
The worst part about carbon monoxide is that it is extremely dangerous and can pop up anywhere – in the basement next to the furnace, in the living room beside a poorly ventilated fireplace, even in any bedrooms situated above the garage. Since carbon monoxide can’t be detected by humans, installing a low level carbon monoxide alarm and having regular carbon monoxide testing is the only way to make sure your home is safe.
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, tightness of chest and fatigue. After prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide, symptoms advance to worsening headache and nausea, confusion, dizziness, respiratory failure and eventually death. If you believe you are suffering from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately leave your house and get into fresh air, then call 911 immediately. Do not reenter the house until you have been told it is safe to do so.
Thousands of carbon monoxide poisonings are reported in the United States every year, and even low levels of carbon monoxide can be dangerous – sometimes levels lower than many store-bought carbon monoxide detectors will pick up on. Don’t put your family at risk – make sure your home is safe by having professional carbon monoxide testing in your home today!
How to proactively prevent carbon monoxide leakage in your home
Aside from having regular carbon monoxide testing and installing low level carbon monoxide alarms in your Maryland, Virginia or Washington, DC home (which you should do immediately if you don’t have one or if yours doesn’t work!), the best way to ensure that your home and family are safe from high carbon monoxide levels is by hiring a certified heating and air conditioning technician to test all appropriate appliances in your home. Here are some additional tips to consider when it comes to keeping your home safe from high levels of carbon monoxide:
- Test your carbon monoxide detector every month according to the manufacturers’ instructions (note that a carbon monoxide test will only test the batteries and circuitry to make sure they are working properly – it will not test the accuracy of the sensor).
- Replace your carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Most carbon monoxide alarms are only good for a specified number of years (usually two years).
- Replace boilers and furnaces that are at least 15 years old, as they may be at higher risk for carbon monoxide leakage.
- Have your furnace, boiler and water heater tested annually (at a minimum) by a professional.
- Make sure the furnace, boiler and water heater are installed correctly and working properly according to local building codes and manufacturers’ instructions.
- Have ONLY a qualified, professionally trained and experienced HVAC technician install fuel-burning appliances or perform conversions from oil to gas, propane to natural gas, etc.
- Only install vented appliances or make sure the rooms with the appliances are well ventilated.
- Make sure your furnace has adequate intake of outside air.
- Only use kerosene and unvented gas heaters in well ventilated rooms. Most manufacturers of these appliances suggest keeping a window cracked when using them to ensure proper airflow.
- Have a qualified technician inspect and clean your chimney annually to allow for maximum airflow in and out.
Why call Magnolia for carbon monoxide testing and preventative services?
The experienced heating and air conditioning technicians at Magnolia Heating & Air Conditioning know your appliances inside and out and have been professionally trained for carbon monoxide testing. We know how to test for carbon monoxide leakage on each appliance and know how to assess risk factors for potential leaks on each appliance. A great time to have your appliances tested for carbon monoxide risks is during your annual or semi-annual heating and air conditioning system maintenance (via your HVAC Maintenance Service contract).
Contact the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC heating and air conditioning company today to learn more about our service contracts or schedule a carbon monoxide testing service call!
Contact our local HVAC contractors today to learn more about our service contracts or schedule a carbon monoxide testing service call! (888) 388-1845