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Carbon Monoxide Testing: Why is it Important for your Family
Carbon monoxide can be present in your Hampshire County home
without leaving a trace because it is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas.
It kills more people annually in the United States than any other type of
poisoning. The only side effects of carbon monoxide poison are flu-like symptoms
(nausea, headaches, and lethargy) which are easily misdiagnosed or ignored. This
potentially lethal gas can build up in any home that uses oil, propane, gas,
wood or coal-fired appliances.
Carbon monoxide is produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels when
a heating appliance malfunctions. You can defend against carbon monoxide
poisoning by inspecting and servicing your combustible appliances regularly and
by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Entry level detectors cost about $50. Austin Air Rescue politely uses the phrase
"entry level" because they do a reasonable job. If you ever read the fine print
on a UL listed Carbon Monoxide detector, you'll understand where we're coming
from. If you plan on utilizing these for your home, you should have one of these
detectors one each floor level that has a bedroom, and in the main living area(s).
Recent code changes in Texas now require a CO detector in the mechanical area
where the boiler/furnace is, on the same electrical circuit. If any of these
detectors identifies a certain level of carbon monoxide, a light will come on
and an alarm will sound.
Placing a detector in several rooms throughout your house can be expensive,
although it is certainly necessary. Even the scary CO detector manufacturer
commercials on TV and the radio some pretty heart-tugging messages; families
only get one chance at proper CO detection before families get changed forever.
More advanced detection alarms are available. Austin Air Rescue highly
recommends low level CO monitors that set off an alarm at a predetermined low
level of the CO to indicate a potential problem. This alarm is useful in that it
warns of low level accumulation of carbon monoxide and can prevent a more
serious situation from developing.
If the carbon monoxide alarm in your home does go off, leave your home
immediately, and seek medical attention. Call your local fire department from a
neighbor's phone. Firefighters are equipped to detect carbon monoxide, locate
the source, and stop the emission of the gas.
If you are looking for a professional air conditioning company in Austin, Texas call us today at 512-288-6666 or complete our online service request form.
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