Should I be concerned about Carbon Monoxide in my home?

Yes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fuels such as the gas and oil used in furnaces, heaters, and wood-burning stoves. If not detected early, CO is deadly. Thousands of Americans are treated for CO poisoning yearly (the symptoms are flu-like), and hundreds die needlessly.

We urge proper installation and maintenance of the equipment in your home. When purchasing a gas or oil furnace, ask for a "sealed combustion" unit. These units are more efficient, and they are less likely to release dangerous gasses into your home. You should call us to check your equipment annually.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installation of one or more UL-certified carbon monoxide detectors. Good detectors will alert you with an alarm whether there is a fast or slow build-up of CO. Low-budget detectors that simply change color are not sufficient.