CO the silent killer...

Chappel’s Heating has new services available for carbon monoxide detection, analysis and prevention. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most serious toxic gases encountered in society today. We have discovered through our whole house diagnostic testing services that many homes have unknown or hidden CO problems. In fact, hundreds of people are killed and seriously injured each year because of CO in the home. As a result of this information we decide as a company to go the extra mile and become Certified CO Analysts. Several of us went to Indianapolis for a rigourous training and certification class through the Building Performance Institute (BPI). We are now certified to handle emergency CO analysis as well as routine or even single appliance detection and analysis.

CO is virtually undetectable by the human nose or naked eye. Its presence is often the result of unburned fuel during the combustion process. The most common CO sources in the home include: un-vented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke.

The problem is compounded by modern construction practices that foster the buildup of CO over a period of time. Homes are built tighter, for example, not only to reduce air drafts, but to minimize the transfer of heat into and out of the home. Of course, the latter involves monetary savings to homeowners. For this reason, local communities have adopted building codes that demand tighter construction practices and thus more chance of CO buildup.
Prolonged exposure to CO can lead to mental impairment or death. Although humans cannot easily detect CO, the symptoms are: headache; shortness of breath; dizziness; fatigue; nausea; flushed red skin.

Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide

• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.

• Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.

• Remember to open flues when fireplaces are in use.

• Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.

• Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.

• Do not idle a car inside the garage and have a trained professional inspect the building connections between the attached garage and the home.

• Avoid enclosed combustion e.g. don’t use your gas range to heat your home.

Prevention is the key

Every home should have a good working CO detector on every floor.
CO detectors should be tested each year to make sure they are working properly.
Most CO detectors sold today have a test button but it really only tests the horn not the sensor that measures the CO.
Chappel’s technicians can effectively test your detector’s sensor with actual calibration test gas to verify proper functionality.

We also offer several quality units and proper installation services.

Aprilaire 1800 Carbon Monoxide Detector
$134.00 Installed

CO Experts Detector
$224.00 installed

Call Chappel's Heating 630.668.3466

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