Basnett Plumbing is a Certified Carbon Monoxide and Combustion Gas Contractor
The CO Problem
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be emitted by home appliances and can cause illness and death. Headlines such as Òsix dead from carbon monoxideÓ have increased public awareness of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. As a result of this media coverage, many homeowners have purchased carbon monoxide detectors.
These standard carbon monoxide detectors will go off at CO levels of 70 parts per million. The problem is that lower levels of carbon monoxide, levels as low as 10, are associated with illness. The outdoor EPA carbon monoxide limit is 9 parts per million. The only way that homeowners can currently determine if their appliances are giving off these low levels of carbon monoxide is by calling in a Certified Analyst, like Basnett, who has the knowledge and tools to detect and fix low levels of CO. The carbon monoxide detectors on the market, today, will not alert the homeowner of the presence of low level carbon monoxide in the home.
Low levels of carbon monoxide have been shown to be dangerous to people with heart and lung disease, the elderly, pregnant women, unborn child and children. Carbon monoxide poisoning produces flu-like symptoms, headache, sore throat, racing heart, memory loss, thinking difficulty and multi sensory intolerance (sensitivity to light, sound, smell, etc.). Out of the 12,000 patients in the US each year, with flu-like symptoms, 2,000 of them are thought to actually be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Process to Detect and Resolve Low Level CO Leakage
Carbon monoxide in the home can come from many sources, including heating systems, stoves, fireplaces and water heaters. Basnett Plumbing is equiped with digital carbon monoxide readout equipment. When a Basnett Plumbing Analyst first enters the home, he immediately obtains a carbon monoxide reading. Here are the levels used to determine the action that needs to be taken:
- CO levels 0 - 9 parts per million: Acceptable
- 10 - 35 parts per million: Look for source of CO and correct
- 35 - 200 parts per million: Medical alert; query occupants about health symptoms, advise to seek medical attention, open all doors and windows, check every possible source to locate problem and correct
- 200+ parts per million: Evacuate house immediately, occupants should seek immediate medical attention, open all doors and windows, call 911, once home cleared out, begin testing for source.
Frequent Questions About Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be emitted by home appliances and can cause illness and death. Even low levels of carbon monoxide are associated with illness and have been shown to be particularly dangerous to people with heart and lung disease, the elderly, pregnant women, unborn children and children. Carbon monoxide poisoning produces flu-like symptoms, headache, sore throat, racing heart, memory loss, thinking difficulty and sensitivity to light, sound, smell, etc. Out of the 12,000 patients each year in the US with flu-like symptoms, 2,000 of them are thought to actually be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
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All gas, oil, wood and coal appliances can produce acceptable levels of carbon monoxide. Appliances that are properly vented should never produce detectable levels and internally should produce less than 100ppm of carbon monoxide. Unvented appliances do give off carbon monoxide into the area; therefore the level that they produce should be 50ppm of carbon monoxide or less. These appliances should only be operated with proper ventilation and for short periods.
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All ovens produce carbon monoxide, even electric ones. Proper ventilation is recommended, especially during warm-up and self-cleaning operation. Carbon monoxide from gas ranges increases each time the oven door is opened.
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Usually the small cracks that are found in heat exchangers do not emit carbon monoxide. Larger holes or openings, however, can produce carbon monoxide. A cracked heat exchanger is a sign of poor operation and is a defect that needs to be repaired before it becomes dangerous. If the furnace is emitting minimal levels of carbon monoxide into the area, the equipment is safe to operate.
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Most appliances that are emitting high levels of carbon monoxide can be repaired or adjusted. Based on age or efficiency, repair cost needs to be compared to replacement cost and overall savings and safety.
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No! The standard carbon monoxide detectors in homes today will go off at levels of 70 parts per million. The problem is that, often, lower levels of carbon monoxide are associated with illness. The only way that homeowners can currently determine if their appliances are giving off these low levels of carbon monoxide is by calling in a Certified Analyst, who has the knowledge and tools to detect and fix low levels.
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Anyone that evaluates the operation of equipment by sight alone is negligent, ill advised, poorly skilled and jeopardizing your safety.
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Unfortunately there are many contractors who are not trained in the proper procedures for carbon monoxide detection and repair, and many do not have a digital carbon monoxide analyzer, the proper testing equipment.
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The contractor must:
- Have a digital carbon monoxide analyzer
- Inform you that carbon monoxide testing is part of their regular service
- Have carbon monoxide testing listed on their work ticket or invoice
- Ask you if you have other appliances to be tested
- Test the space and each appliance specifically
- Show you actual readings that they take
- Be listed with C-MAC and/or have proof of approved training.
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They all have the same opportunity to have the proper knowledge, but heating contractors should have more qualifications to pinpoint the exact problem and repair it, because that is their main business.
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Rust is a sign that an appliance is not venting properly, which, over time, can cause a serious carbon monoxide problem to occur.
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Carbon monoxide is an intermittent problem in many cases. It occurs at its highest levels at night when the house or building is closed up, with little traffic in and out. Checking the space only provides minimal information and guarantees very little.
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