Winter Heating Risks

Most of the country thinks of the Phoenix Metro area as having no real winter.  But we do have our cold days and we do use many different methods to warm up our homes.  Are you aware of the risks when you burn material to heat your homes?

It doesn’t matter that you use a natural gas furnace or a fireplace the combustibles give off carbon monoxide.  This colorless, odorless, tasteless and poisonous gas can kill you.

In normal operations the carbon monoxide goes out the chimney with the other products of combustion.  As long as the process is operating normally everything will be fine.

There are many dangers associated with carbon monoxide, some of which are short term problems and some of which can be permanently damaging or even fatal. Carbon monoxide poisoning can come about through a number of sources, and these can be everyday items and appliances used within the home.

Your first step is to install a carbon monoxide or CO detector.  While CO detectors do not serve as smoke detectors and vice versa, dual smoke/CO detectors are also sold. Smoke detectors detect the smoke generated by flaming or smoldering fires, whereas CO detectors detect and warn people about dangerous CO buildup caused, for example, by a malfunctioning fuel-burning heating device. In the home, some common sources of CO include open flames, space heaters, water heaters, blocked chimneys or running a car inside a garage.

If you have a detector you want to consider if it is still working.  The gas sensors in CO alarms have a limited and indeterminable life span, typically two to five years. The test button on a CO alarm only tests the battery and circuitry, not the sensor. CO alarms should be tested with an external source of calibrated test gas, as recommended by the latest version of NFPA 720.

Alarms over five years old should be replaced but they should be checked on installation and at least annually during the manufacturers warranty period.

Your second step is to call Aaron’s Mechanical Service and have your heating system inspected to make sure it is operating properly and within normal parameters.

Be ready for our Arizona winter and heating season.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your heating and cooling repairs or replacement needs?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you get cooled off! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com