TEST CO DETECTORS YEAR-ROUND TO COMBAT THE THREAT OF CARBON MONOXIDE
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, naturally-occurring gas that mixes easily with air…and it can be deadly. In fact, over 170 people die every year in the United States due to CO exposure, despite laws requiring carbon monoxide detectors. These deaths are preventable, and remembering to test CO detectors in your home is the first step to keeping yourself and your family safe.
UNDERSTANDING THE DANGER OF CARBON MONOXIDE
Carbon monoxide is a natural by-product of combustion from gas stoves, water heaters, emergency generators, car engines and other appliances that burn fuel. In healthy HVAC systems and appliances, the amount of carbon monoxide generated is minimal and easily ventilated away. However, when your home is improperly ventilated, your HVAC system isn’t properly maintained or your garage’s air flows into your living area, carbon monoxide exposure can quickly rise to dangerous levels.
Malek Heating & Air recommends you test CO detectors once a month. Consult your manufacturer’s guidelines, but on many systems, this is as easy as pressing a button and waiting to hear the confirmation beep. To make this easier to remember, you can get in the habit of testing CO detectors when you replace the HVAC system air filter, which you should also do every month.
You should have CO detectors installed on every level of your home, as well as outside all sleeping areas. Make sure you don’t have detectors installed too close to HVAC equipment or fuel-burning appliances; the detectors may report false positives due to their proximity to those systems.
Learn more about how to test CO detectors, as well as Malek’s other indoor air quality solutions, or call us at 979-446-0296 to make an appointment for your home today!