Can You Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From an AC Unit in Glenn Heights, TX?

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas you never want to let loose inside your home. It’s possible to face disastrous results from a leak, but are there certain household appliances or pieces of equipment that are particularly bad? For example, can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from an AC unit?

Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating provides some of the best AC services in Glenn Heights, TX. We know the importance of having a functional air conditioner to keep the sweltering summer heat at bay, and that functionality includes safety mechanisms. Here, we explain whether cooling systems are more susceptible to carbon monoxide leaks than other devices and how to keep your home safe.

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Exposure in Glenn Heights

Carbon monoxide is a toxic byproduct of burning fuel like natural gas, propane, and oil. Since it is a colorless and odorless gas, it’s undetectable without a carbon monoxide alarm. That’s why it has a reputation as a “silent killer.”

Inhaling these toxic gas molecules allows them to seep into your bloodstream and block oxygen from reaching your red blood cells. Essentially, this lack of oxygen will suffocate your brain and other vital organs, resulting in severe health complications or death. Even minimal amounts of carbon monoxide can be dangerous with prolonged exposure and may lead to these common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Nausea
• Dull headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Memory loss

If you want to keep your home in Glenn Heights, Texas, safe, working detectors and well-maintained heating and cooling equipment are important.

Are You At Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning by Running Your Air Conditioner?

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from an AC system? The answer is complicated. Air conditioners typically run on electricity, not oil or gas, and only fuel-burning appliances create carbon monoxide.

With electrical devices, you don’t have to worry about incomplete combustion. It’s not actually possible for your electrical cooling unit in Glenn Heights to leak carbon monoxide.

Possible Sources of Carbon Monoxide Leaks in Your Glenn Heights Home

So, your electric air conditioner can’t produce carbon monoxide. However, your Glenn Heights home might still have one of the biggest producers of carbon monoxide: gas-powered HVAC units or furnaces.

A buildup of dangerous gas might seep into your living spaces with an ailing furnace or these other fuel-burning appliances:

• Fireplaces
• Gas clothes dryers and washing machines
• Charcoal grills
• Gas-powered space heaters
• Boilers
• Motor vehicles
• Portable or standby generators

Regular furnace maintenance and timely HVAC repairs are crucial for your safety!

How To Detect Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from an AC unit? No, but it’s important to know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning anyway. Your Glenn Heights home likely has at least one gas-burning appliance, so a leak is possible.

Soot is another indicator of carbon monoxide issues. You may notice yellowish or brownish stains, soot falling out of your fireplace, or black buildup accumulating around fuel-burning appliances.

Excess condensation on the inside of windows and interior walls also indicates a gas leak. Gas-fueled appliances failing to combust fuel properly could lead to ventilation issues.

Essential Tips To Minimize Your Risk of Carbon Monoxide Exposure

To keep your home’s indoor air quality healthy while co-existing with fuel-burning equipment, follow these tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Install carbon monoxide detectors: It’s vital to detect this deadly gas before its concentration gets high enough to cause significant harm. Put at least one detector near bedrooms and on every level of your home.
• Schedule HVAC maintenance regularly: Your air conditioner won’t cause carbon monoxide poisoning, but your furnace might. HVAC technicians can uncover potential problems in their early stages during service calls to minimize your risk.
• Use gas-powered equipment safely: Never use grills indoors.

And, of course, don’t leave a vehicle running inside a garage, even if the door is open.