A long holiday weekend is coming up with no end in sight to the use of your furnace; is it up to the task? Have you put new batteries in your carbon monoxide detector of late? Should the alarm decide to go off with the family all about the table, do you know how to handle it?
One should be asking these sorts of questions before the holidays get here. We are on hand to provide some answers. Since 1979 Blaze Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing has made it our business to see that North Carolina homes are as safe as they are comfortable. In all we have over 45 years under our belt with HVAC, plumbing, electrical and generators. For Triad service, (336) 281-9464 is the number to put us in touch.
There is more time spent inside during the holidays, the heat is on for longer and there is a good deal of extra cooking. It is only natural that the gas appliances in the house will be put to greater demand. This being the season, it is well to be informed on carbon monoxide and the means of protecting those one is concerned with.
What is it about Carbon Monoxide that is so hazardous?
CO is what you get when fuel is burned. The problem is it is a gas without any taste or odour, and you can not put a colour to it. You are not going to see it and the first symptoms can be deceptively like something else.
An exposure to CO will present itself much like the flu, minus the fever. Be on the lookout for:
- A sudden headache
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- An inability to think straight or confusion
- Fatigue or being more sleepy than usual
It is a red flag if more than one person in the household is under the weather and puts it behind them as soon as they are outdoors. Put everyone in some fresh air and make a call for assistance.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide in the Home
When an appliance running on fuel has a hitch, it can produce carbon monoxide. There are a few you would do well to examine over the holidays:
- A gas furnace where the venting is obstructed or the heat exchanger is cracked
- Fireplaces of the wood or gas variety with a clogged or unclean chimney
- Improperly vented gas water heaters
- Stoves and ovens left to run for long periods
- A portable generator set up too near to the house
- Clothes dryers whose exhaust is blocked
For the most part these are matters of a worn part or bad airflow but with some routine maintenance they can be nipped in the bud.
Some easy ways to put your mind at ease
It does not take an expert to improve the safety of your home. Make it a practice to:
- Put detectors in by the sleeping quarters and on each floor
- Do a test once a month, change out the batteries two times a year minimum
- Before striking a match in the fireplace, have the chimney done
- Put in a tune-up for the furnace to have the heat exchanger and venting seen to
- Under no circumstances operate a grill, generator or other gas appliance in the garage or house
- Leave the vents on your water heater and furnace unobstructed
All too often a scare is the result of a heating system that has not had any attention in a couple of years. On a cold night when the system is under strain a blocked vent or small crack will be the least of your worries until then.
Need a professional?
Let the alarm sound and your first move is to put everyone outside and summon emergency help. Leave the investigation to a licensed technician once the home is secure. But there is no need to wait for such an event. Our technicians are factory trained, certified and licensed, as is the company; we are fully insured and stand behind our work with a guarantee of satisfaction.
We are available around the clock for emergencies since gas concerns and a faulty furnace do not adhere to office hours. Financing can be arranged with our partner lenders and we will give you a free estimate on any replacement or installation. Inquire as to our Shield Membership Plan for priority service and maintenance.
Call us at (336) 281-9464 in the Triad to have your inspection put on the books. Like a good dog, we are as dependable as they come and ready to put your home in order for the holidays.
The post Fireplaces, Gas Appliances, and Carbon Monoxide Safety for the Holidays appeared first on Blaze Air.
Whether you require installation, repair, or maintenance, our technicians will assist you with top-quality service at any time of the day or night. Take comfort in knowing your indoor air quality is the best it can be with MOE heating & cooling services Ontario's solution for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation that’s cooler than the rest.
Contact us to schedule a visit. Our qualified team of technicians, are always ready to help you and guide you for heating and cooling issues. Weather you want to replace an old furnace or install a brand new air conditioner, we are here to help you. Our main office is at Kitchener but we can service most of Ontario's cities
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