How to Increase Protection Against Carbon Monoxide This Winter

As outdoor temperatures drop during the winter months, your indoors will require consistent heating to ensure warmth and comfort. However, it is also the time of the year when the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning is at its peak. As such, protecting you and your family from this odorless, colorless and tasteless gas is imperative, especially when utilizing fuel-burning appliances and devices. Trusted heating and AC services contractor Burch Oil shares some tips to keep in mind. 

Keep Generators Outside

It is never advisable to use your home’s backup generator indoors during a power outage. When triggered, it starts releasing exhaust fumes in the form of carbon monoxide. If you have a portable generator, consider placing it about 10 to 15 feet away from your home.

Schedule a Furnace Inspection

Apart from being efficient and effective in providing heated air, a well-maintained oil furnace is also less likely to leak carbon monoxide. While it does produce odorless and tasteless gas during operation, it is released into the atmosphere through the vent. Your heating service technician can inspect the working parts of your furnace, including the burners, to ensure they are working properly and don’t cause leakage.

Keep Vents Open

See to it that the vents for your furnace, stove, fireplace and dryer are clear of snow and other debris. Always run exhaust fans when cooking on a stove to minimize the danger of carbon monoxide overexposure. Consider opening a nearby window as well to allow fresh air to circulate.

Check and Replace Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Protect yourself and your family further by investing in carbon monoxide alarms for your home. Install them at a central location outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of your home. If you have existing devices, test them regularly to see if they are still in good working order. Replace them after five to seven years.

Turn to Burch Oil for your HVAC needs. We offer maintenance service agreements to ensure the longevity and performance of your heating equipment. Call (301) 373-2131 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.