Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible gas that can be produced by faulty gas appliances, such as boilers, and can cause serious harm and even death. Carbon monoxide is referred to as the silent killer because it can't be seen, smelt or tasted. It can only be detected with specialist equipment.
Read this article to find out all the information a homeowner should know about carbon monoxide.
The Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning can seriously harm and even kill somebody. The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:-
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can cause severe neurological harm and even death. If somebody thinks they're being effected by carbon monoxide, they should leave their property and seek medical help.
What Can Cause a Boiler to Leak Carbon Monoxide?
When a boiler is operating correctly, it releases minimal amounts of carbon monoxide and what it does produce is exhausted appropriately. There are times when a boiler can release carbon monoxide, which can harm us. Here are examples:-
- Faulty or old boiler - older boilers that haven't been well maintained can develop leaks which can lead to carbon monoxide emissions.
- Incomplete combustion - if a boiler is faulty or hasn't been maintained correctly it may not burn its fuel properly, which can cause carbon monoxide to be produced.
- Blocked flue - a flue is the part of a boiler that exhausts the waste gases outside the property. However, if the flue becomes blocked, those gases will enter your property and carbon monoxide can build up in the house.
How to Keep Your Home Safe from Carbon Monoxide
Follow these simple steps to keep your home free and safe from carbon monoxide:-
- Install a carbon monoxide detector - a carbon monoxide detector is a vital piece of equipment in any home. The CO detector should be located near your boiler so it'll alert you early to any carbon monoxide leaks
- Service your boiler regularly - you should have your boiler serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure it is safe and working efficiently
- Get your new boiler fitted by professional Gas Safe engineers - all of Heat My House's engineers are Gas Safe registered
- Ensure proper ventilation - make sure the flue of the boiler isn't blocked. This would be checked on an annual service
Summary
Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous gas that can be produced by an unmaintained or faulty boiler. If it goes unnoticed, it can become a killer. To prevent the risk of having carbon monoxide in your home, regularly get your boiler serviced and install carbon monoxide detectors near the boiler.
If your boiler is old, inefficient, and showing signs of degrading, it could be time to invest in a new, safe, energy efficient boiler.
At Heat My House, all of our boilers are installed by professional Gas Safe registered engineers, and we only install A-rated energy efficient boilers.