Carbon Monoxide
Where To Look For Problem Sources In The Home

A forced air furnace is frequently the source of leaks and should be carefully inspected. Measure the concentration of carbon monoxide in the flue gases. Check furnace connections to flue pipes and venting systems to the outside of the home for signs of corrosion, rust, gaps or holes. Check furnace filters and filtering systems for dirt or blockage. Check forced air fans for proper installation and to assure correct air flow of flue gases. Improper furnace blower installation can result in carbon monoxide build-up because toxic gas is blown into rather than out of the house. Check the combustion chamber and internal heat exchanger for cracks, holes, metal fatigue or corrosion, be sure they are clean and free of debris. Check burners and ignition system. A flame that is mostly yellow in color in natural gas fired furnaces is often a sign that the fuel is not burning completely and higher levels of carbon monoxide are being released. Oil furnaces with similar problems can give off an "oily" odor. Remember you can't smell carbon monoxide. Check all venting systems to the outside. Including flues and chimneys for cracks, corrosion, holes, debris or blockages. Animals and birds can build nests inside a chimney preventing gases from escaping. Check all other appliances in the home that use flammable fuels such as natural gas, oil, propane,      wood or kerosene. Appliances include water heaters, clothes dryers, kitchen ranges, ovens or cooktops, wood-burning stoves and gas refrigerators. Pilot lights can be a source of carbon monoxide, because the by-products of combustion are released inside the home rather than vented outside. Be sure space heaters are vented properly. Unvented space heaters that use a flammable fuel such as kerosene can release carbon monoxide into the home. Barbecue grills should never be operated indoors under any circumstances, nor should stove tops     or ovens that operate on flammable fuels be used to heat a residence. Check fireplaces for closed, blocked or bent flues, soot and debris. Check the clothes dryer vent opening outside the house for lint.