Houston Carbon Monoxide Repair Questions
A-1 Tops Services provides the most commonly asked Houston carbon monoxide repair questions and answers to help you make informed decisions regarding your air conditioning and heating needs. A-1 Tops is certified in complete inspection and repair of carbon monoxide leaks and dangers. Listed below are the top 10 questions that are posed by our clients prior to A-1 Tops servicing their appliances and air conditioning units.
Please note that many other companies are not qualified to repair CO leaks. Please contact us if you suspect a carbon monoxide leak or see signs of trouble.
Q: Do all furnaces, space heaters, boilers, water heaters, fireplaces, etc., make carbon monoxide?
A:
All gas, oil, wood and coal appliances can produce acceptable levels of CO. Appliances that are vented should never produce levels that are detectable in the space and internally should produce less than 100 ppm of CO. Unvented appliances do vent CO into the space, therefore the level of CO they produce should be 50 ppm of CO and even less. These should only be operated with proper ventilation and for short periods.
Q: Do ovens or cook stoves produce carbon monoxide?
A:
All ovens produce carbon monoxide, even electric ones. Proper ventilation is recommended especially during warm up and self cleaning operation. Carbon monoxide increases on gas ranges each time the oven door is opened.
Q: If my equipment is producing carbon monoxide, does it have to be replaced?
A:
Most appliances that are making high levels of CO can be repaired or adjusted. Based on age or efficiency, repairs need to be compared to replacement costs and overall savings and safety.
Q: Do cracked heat exchangers make carbon monoxide?
A:
Usually the small cracks that are found in heat exchangers do not cause CO to be produced unlike larger holes or openings. A cracked heat exchanger is a sign of poor operation and is a defect that needs to be repaired before it becomes dangerous. As long as the furnace is making minimal levels of CO and not spilling into the space, the equipment is safe to operate.
Q: Someone looked at my furnace and water heater and said that it looked like they were operating correctly. Is it safe to use them?
A:
Anyone that evaluates the operation of equipment by sight alone is negligent, ill-advised and poorly skilled and is jeopardizing your safety.
Q: Are most contractors properly trained in carbon monoxide testing?
A:
Unfortunately, there are many contractors that are not trained in the proper procedures for CO testing and many that do not even have proper testing equipment (digital CO analyzer).
Q: How do I know if the person checking or servicing my equipment is qualified to do CO testing?
A:
They must have a CO analyzer.
They will inform you that CO testing is part of the service.
They will have CO testing listed on their work ticket or invoice.
They may ask if you have other appliances to be tested.
They will test the space and each appliance specifically.
They will show you the actual readings they take.
They will be listed with C-MAC and/or have proof of approved training.
Q: Do fire departments, utilities and contractors all have the same abilities to test for carbon monoxide?
A:
They all have the same opportunity to have the same knowledge, but a heating contractor should have more qualifications to pinpoint the exact problem and repair it because that is their main business.
Q: Is rust on the equipment normal, and can it indicate a CO problem?
A:
Rust is the sign of an appliance not venting properly, which over time can cause a serious CO problem to develop.
Q: I had someone check in my house for carbon monoxide without checking the appliances. Am I safe?
A:
Carbon monoxide is an intermittent problem in many cases. It occurs normally at its highest levels at night when the building is closed up and little traffic is coming in and out. Checking in the space only provides minimal information and guarantees very little.
A-1 Tops Services provides answers to your Houston carbon monoxide repair questions. For more information about carbon monoxide diagnosis and services, call A-1 Tops Services at 713-783-COOL.
