Carbon Monoxide In Furnace Exhaust

In a unit that s operating correctly the gas is directed through your furnace s flue pipe and safely vented out of your home.

Carbon monoxide in furnace exhaust.

Eric shidell hvac service mentor carbon monoxide is an odorless colorless poisonous gas that is a natural and common product of combustion of all kinds. The two most common ways this occurs are from a cracked heat exchanger or a damaged flue pipe or chimney. Most gas burning furnaces normally produce carbon monoxide as a part of their operation. You need to be diligent about regular furnace maintenance in order to keep your family safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of the combustion process that occurs in gas powered furnaces. That means that the gas is produced every time your furnace is operating. Carbon monoxide occurs naturally in the environment. Furnaces cause carbon monoxide when exhaust pipes break all exhaust air from a furnace is designed to be exhausted outside.

Carbon monoxide gas is the result of incomplete combustion. For a number of different reasons your furnace can develop a crack in its heat exchanger or flue pipes. Raises questions about why co is elevated. How carbon monoxide from your furnace becomes a problem.

The carbon monoxide from your furnace is mostly contained within the walls of its heat exchanger. If everything is working properly the carbon monoxide that is produced by your furnace s burners is contained within your system s heat exchanger. Source should be identified might be normal ie traffic kitchen range energy conservatory. Might be normal from cooking stoves spillage outdoor traffic.

This test program is part of cpsc s effort to reduce deaths and injuries related to carbon monoxide poisoning. Cpsc began a test program in 1999 to evaluate the carbon monoxide co exposure hazard posed to consumers when a furnace vent pipe is blocked or disconnected. After the gas leaves your heat exchanger it is sent through your furnace s flue vent and safely carried out of your home. Incomplete combustion happens when you ignite something and there s not enough oxygen around to completely burn off the fuel.

Your furnace water heater stove space heaters fireplace woodstove charcoal grill and dryer can be sources of co especially if they are not in good working condition or have been installed without proper ventilation. Carbon monoxide is produced by devices that burn fuels. The maximum allowable concentration for 8 hour period in any year epa ashrae. When all systems are operating normally that toxic gas goes harmlessly up the flue.

Yet failure to have sufficient outside combustion air often contributes to this problem as well. Carbon monoxide coming from your furnace only becomes an issue when the system malfunctions in a way that allows it to leak out. If there is a breach or break in the exhaust venting from a furnace carbon monoxide poisoning is likely to occur.