Each year in mid-Tennessee, we hear of families who either narrowly escaped or who succumbed to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in their homes. The poisonous gas is a byproduct of gas burning appliances like stoves, fireplaces, furnaces and generators. CO should always be vented outside, but systems can fail. Carbon Monoxide is often called ‘The Silent Killer’ because it has no smell or taste, so buildup can go undetected until people or animals become sick or die.
Annual inspection and maintenance of gas-burning appliances and equipment is the most important thing you can do to identify problems and prevent CO poisoning. Copeland & Son’s Performance Maintenance Agreement is perfect for Nashville-area homeowners with a gas furnace. During furnace maintenance we will inspect your heat exchanger for signs of wear or cracks that could allow CO to seep into your home. With gas furnaces, this is where breaches are most likely to happen. We will also make sure CO is effectively venting outdoors and do a Combustion Analysis to confirm our findings.
Carbon Monoxide alarms sold in stores offer another layer of protection. Be aware, however, that store-bought alarms allow low level exposure to CO for up to 3-1/2 hours before the alarm is tripped. That means the most vulnerable in a home—those who are very young, elderly, pregnant, or those with compromised health—may already suffer effects before being alerted. At Copeland & Son, we sell and install Low Level CO Monitors so you learn if there is a problem as early as possible.