Carbon Monoxide a Concern in Cold Weather
During winter months, the number of deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning increases with about 80 percent of deaths happening in the home. Consumers can take action to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning fossil fuel. Each year, a qualified professional should check all fuel-burning appliances for potential carbon monoxide problems. Furnaces, water heaters and stoves that burn natural or propane gas, heating oil, wood, or other fuel should be checked for potential carbon monoxide leaks.
Chimneys and flues should be checked for leakage and creosote or debris blockage. Also be aware of ice or other weather problems that could cause blockage in chimneys and flues.
Loose or disconnected vents from furnaces, water heaters, boilers, or vented space heaters also should be corrected. High temperature plastic venting pipes should be inspected for any separation or cracks--especially on gas-fired mid-efficiency furnaces or boilers installed between 1987-1990.
Professionals should also check for the potential of downdrafting or spillage. Downdrafting can occur when other exhaust fans are in use and the natural drifting of a fuel-fired appliance is overpowered and the air in the home is at a lower pressure than outside. Downdrafts result when air flow reverses in a vent of a chimney pulling air and combustion gases back into the house. Anything that moves air out of a home and depressurizes the house can potentially downdraft the chimney. This includes exhaust fans, other vented appliances, fireplaces and holes in the ceiling. Tight homes can result in downdrafting when insufficient air is available for ample combustion. Consult an owner's manual for recommendations.
Heating systems may have poor combustion or poor venting. Defective installation of a vent, such as it being too small or large, insufficient height, too many elbows or improper location, can cause venting problems and contribute to carbon monoxide problems. To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, natural draft heating appliances can be replaced with sealed combustion units specifically designed to operate in tighter homes. The units are sealed pipes with outside combustion air supplied directly to the burner chamber. Also consider an air to air heat exchanger.
In addition annual inspections, carbon monoxide alarms should be installed that meet Underwriters Laboratories requirements. Battery powered, AC current or a combination are available. Due to potential electrical outages or forgetting to check or replace batteries, a combination carbon monoxide alarm is recommended.
It's also important to never use charcoal grills in enclosed spaces, such as a home, garage, vehicle, tent or partially enclosed patio. Avoid using ranges and ovens to heat the home.
It is very important to have appliances and items inspected before they are used. Know the operating and safety procedures that must be followed. Generators, especially, require a complete understanding of how they are to be safely used.
SOURCE: Shirley Niemeyer, Ph.D., housing and environment specialist, NU/IANR
