We had so many inquiries and response to our October blog aboutย carbon monoxideย we decided to write a follow-up to help customers further understand the infamous gas, where it comes from and how it can become a ย potential in-home threat.

Most metroplex homes utilize gas furnaces as their source for heat and put in simple terms a furnace is a controlled fire that when installed and operating properly is a very safe, efficient way to heat your Dallas, Plano or McKinney home. ย In fact an author of HVAC operation manuals recently put it quite bluntly stating, โ€œthey do not make these things to catch fire, blow up or kill people.โ€ ย However, if problems do develop you and your homeโ€™s heating system system could be the victims of a carbon monoxide leak. ย Here are the 5 most common problems we encounter here atย Classic Heating and Airย that can lead to CO leaks and what you can do to prevent them.

1. ย Compromised heat exchangerย โ€“ A heat exchanger (HEX) is arguably the most important (and expensive) part of your furnace. ย A cracked or rusty HEX not only reduces heat transfer but allows CO to leak outside the furnace cabinet.

2. ย Insufficient combustion airย โ€“ย International Fuel Gas Codeย has very strict requirements when it comes to gas furnaces in enclosed spaces. ย Many numbers, calculations and ย  ย  considerations must be accounted for to ensure the proper air flow for the proper fuel burn off. ย If not done perfectly your furnace will not doubt produce sulfuric acid, black soot and carbon monoxide.

3. ย Broken or disconnected flue pipeย โ€“ Serving as your furnaces exhaust pipe, the flue pipe is responsible for getting all the gas and fumes up and out of your home. ย If that pipe is restricted or broken somewhere along the line, the exhaust has nowhere to go but out into your home.

4. ย Incorrect gas pressureย โ€“ Too much or too little and your furnace operates outside itโ€™s intended range. ย Just like a car running too rich or too lean, not all the fuel is burnt off which leads to waste and excess fumes and byproducts. ย Not to mention an inefficient furnace and your paying higher energy bills!

5. ย Worn out draft inducer motorย โ€“ This mechanical component is installed in the direct stream of flue gas, if seals and bearings arenโ€™t in great condition CO gas is allowed to slip through and escape.

These are just a few of elements and details that go into safe, proper, efficient gas furnace operation. ย Our best recommendation is to have a reliable, trusted HVAC contractor forย ac works McKinneyย out at least once a year to inspect the above mentioned items as well as many other things on your homeโ€™s system. ย Doing so will not only save you money, but ensure your familyโ€™s safety. ย Here at Classic we have several ways to tackle that task, either with our one-time famousย CLEAN/CHECK/TUNEย or by signing up for our yearlyย heating and air conditioning maintenanceย you can sleep well at night knowing your system is in tip-top shape.

Give us a call today and

Happy Holidays

214-851-2824

 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

American Standard AccuClean Filtration System

  • Removes 99.98% allergens
  • 100 times more effective than standard 1โ€ณ filter
  • Cleanable, reusable filter