You need to be a responsible homeowner if you have a furnace or a boiler heating system in your home. Combustion safety is an important part of home ownership. This will keep everyone safe from fires or explosions. Appliances are vented to the outside of the home to ensure exhaust gases are sent out of the house and to make sure the right amount of pressure is present. This pressure releases gases like carbon monoxide to the outside. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is a by-product of combustion or the product of incomplete gas combustion often because appliances are improperly adjusted. Systems that burn fuel are inherently dangerous without the proper controls. Over the years, we have learned from experience that there are certain precautions that will minimize the chances of disaster.

Air Draft Flow Calculator

The draft is the direction the gases flow and the temperature difference between the flue gas and the outdoor air along with the pressure inside the home and the height of the chimney will have an effect on the draft. Oddly enough it’s the newer homes that have a bigger problem with ventilation because there’s less of it and that can cause negative air pressure that will lead to unbalanced air flows. Older homes don’t seem to have this problem as much. When your home is having problems with pressure, the result can be back drafting. This occurs when there’s a reverse flow of gases back into the home. This is very dangerous and can be fatal. These gases are dangerous to breath and explosions can ignite if the gases continue to build in a home that is tight.

Air Quality & Ventilation Testing

There are tests that can be done to check for combustion safety. A technician can test your home and check for the presence of toxic gases.
• A combustion appliance zone will be tested inside and outside the home
• Testing for negative pressure will be performed
• Duct tightness will be tested to look for leaks
• Interior appliances will be checked to for clearance for draft issues
• Clearance on the outside will be checked for venting issues
• Gas appliances will be tested for pressure, clearance, draft and ventilation
• The chimney will be tested to look for any issues that can affect proper ventilation

Carbon Monoxide Detectors & Monitoring

It’s important to monitor carbon monoxide levels in your home. Monitors should be installed to alert occupants when levels of carbon monoxide get dangerous. These monitors work by letting you know before a problem gets dangerous for you and your family. Relying on many store-bought CO monitors can be risky. These will let you know when the levels get to 70 ppm or higher after about 3 ½ hours and it may be too late by then. Install low-level carbon monoxide monitors. These will let you know when levels are as low as 30 ppm.

Furnace & Heating Services & More in Manhattan, New York

Testing by professionals and low-level CO monitors will let you know if your gas appliances are working the way they should be to ensure your home is safe. Contact NY NJ AC Connection for any questions about combustion safety as well as furnaces and boilers.