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Understanding Carbon Monoxide
Why Proper Venting and CO Detectors Matter
Back to HVAC 101
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TL;DR - What You'll Learn
✔ Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas produced by fuel-burning appliances when combustion gases can't vent safely.
✔ Homes with fuel-burning appliances should have properly installed carbon monoxide detectors.
✔ Changes to your home's ventilation or air sealing can affect combustion safety and should be evaluated as part of the whole home.
✔ Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas produced by fuel-burning appliances when combustion gases can't vent safely.
✔ Homes with fuel-burning appliances should have properly installed carbon monoxide detectors.
✔ Changes to your home's ventilation or air sealing can affect combustion safety and should be evaluated as part of the whole home.
If your home has fuel-burning appliances, carbon monoxide (CO) safety is something every homeowner should understand.
Gas furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, gas ranges, and even portable generators all produce combustion gases. Under normal operation, these gases are safely vented outdoors. But if an appliance malfunctions, a vent becomes blocked, or combustion doesn't occur properly, carbon monoxide can build up inside the home.
Because carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, you can't rely on your senses to detect it. Fortunately, there are simple steps every homeowner can take to help protect their household.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas produced whenever fuels such as natural gas, propane, wood, gasoline, or oil burn.
Under normal conditions, gas furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and other fuel-burning appliances safely vent combustion gases outdoors. However, if an appliance malfunctions, a vent becomes blocked, or combustion air is inadequate, carbon monoxide can accumulate inside the home.
Because carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, people often have no warning that dangerous levels are present. This is why carbon monoxide detectors are such an important part of home safety.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hundreds of people in the United States die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, and thousands more are treated in emergency departments.
Under normal conditions, gas furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and other fuel-burning appliances safely vent combustion gases outdoors. However, if an appliance malfunctions, a vent becomes blocked, or combustion air is inadequate, carbon monoxide can accumulate inside the home.
Because carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, people often have no warning that dangerous levels are present. This is why carbon monoxide detectors are such an important part of home safety.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hundreds of people in the United States die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, and thousands more are treated in emergency departments.
Which Homes Should Have Carbon Monoxide Detectors?
Any home with fuel-burning appliances should have carbon monoxide detectors installed. This includes homes with:
Even if your heating system is electric, your home may still contain another source of carbon monoxide.
- Natural gas or propane furnaces
- Gas water heaters
- Gas fireplaces
- Gas ranges or ovens
- Wood-burning fireplaces or stoves
- Attached garages where vehicle exhaust could enter the home
Even if your heating system is electric, your home may still contain another source of carbon monoxide.
A Note About Portable Generators
Portable generators can be a real help when the lights go out in your neighborhood, but you should always be careful when using them. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation.
Portable generators should never be operated inside a home, garage, crawlspace, or other enclosed area, even if doors or windows are open
Portable generators should never be operated inside a home, garage, crawlspace, or other enclosed area, even if doors or windows are open
Where Should Carbon Monoxide Detectors Be Installed?
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Both the CDC and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend installing carbon monoxide detectors according to the manufacturer's instructions. In most homes, that generally means:
How Ventilation and Building Performance Affect Combustion SafetyAs we discussed in Your Home Is a System, changes to one part of a home can affect another.
Projects such as spray foam insulation, extensive air sealing, high-efficiency windows, or ventilation upgrades can significantly change how air moves through a home. In homes with fuel-burning appliances, these changes should be considered as part of the overall building design to help ensure combustion appliances continue to operate safely. This doesn't mean energy-efficiency improvements are unsafe. In fact, they often improve comfort and reduce energy costs. It simply means that when making major changes to a home's air leakage or ventilation, it's important to evaluate the home's combustion appliances as well. The Takeaway |
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Fuel-burning appliances are designed to operate safely when they are properly installed, maintained, and vented.
Carbon monoxide can become dangerous if combustion gases aren’t able to vent safely outdoors. The best protection includes:
If your home has fuel-burning appliances and you're planning major energy-efficiency upgrades—or if you have concerns about ventilation or combustion safety—Bluebonnet A/C Services can help evaluate how your HVAC system fits into your home's overall performance.
Carbon monoxide can become dangerous if combustion gases aren’t able to vent safely outdoors. The best protection includes:
- Proper maintenance of fuel-burning appliances
- Proper venting and adequate combustion air
- Working carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout the home
- Considering combustion safety whenever significant changes are made to your home's airflow or ventilation
If your home has fuel-burning appliances and you're planning major energy-efficiency upgrades—or if you have concerns about ventilation or combustion safety—Bluebonnet A/C Services can help evaluate how your HVAC system fits into your home's overall performance.