It’s only natural to want to protect your home from threats both seen and unseen. Carbon monoxide is one threat that all homeowners should take seriously. And one of the best ways to mitigate threats from carbon monoxide is knowing where it does—and does not—come from.
Key Takeaways
- Air conditioners cannot produce carbon monoxide (CO), although they may circulate CO if it is already present in the home.
- Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that can lead to illness and death. It is not detectable by human senses.
- Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting.
- Anyone who suspects CO poisoning should leave the home right away, then call the 911 emergency line and their utility company.
- Carbon monoxide is usually a greater concern during the winter months when the heating mode of an HVAC system is activated.
Can You Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from an Air Conditioner?
No, you cannot directly get carbon monoxide poisoning from an air conditioner.
Here’s why.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a product of incomplete combustion; if no incomplete combustion takes place, no CO is produced. The refrigeration cycle present in AC systems does not involve combustion. That means that an air conditioner cannot produce carbon monoxide.
However, just because an AC unit cannot produce CO doesn’t mean that it can’t circulate CO already present in the home.
Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide in Your Home
Fuel-burning appliances are devices that run with a fuel source like fossil fuels (ex. natural gas, propane, kerosene) and wood rather than electricity. In order to function, these appliances need combustion to occur, so they can produce varying levels of carbon monoxide. If left improperly maintained or vented, these appliances can CO leak into the home.
Specific sources of CO that are common in US households include:
- Cars and other motor vehicles
- Gas furnaces, dryers, ovens, boilers, water heaters, and lawn mowers
- Fireplaces
- Wood-burning stoves
How to Identify a Carbon Monoxide Leak
CO Alarms
The single-best way to detect carbon monoxide leaks is to install and maintain a system of CO detectors in the home. If the alarm goes off (and you know it’s not a low-battery signal), get out of the house and call 911 right away.
Physical Symptoms of CO Poisoning
Potential signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Shortness of breath
Signs from Fuel-burning Appliances
Sometimes your appliances can leave signs if they are the source of the carbon monoxide leak. These signs may include:
- Unsteady orange or yellow flames (rather than steady blue flames)
- Soot or ash around the base of the appliance
- Excess condensation in the room housing the appliance
- Rusting of the appliance or nearby vents
- Pipes that are cracked or disconnected
- Frequently blown-out pilot lights
- Incredibly stuffy air
4 Ways to Protect the Home from Carbon Monoxide
Some of our top tips at Future Aire for protecting the home from carbon monoxide include the following.
1. Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors are the single-best way to detect CO leaks in the home. Place them in every room and hallway, and ensure the batteries are working.
2. Don’t Neglect Regular Maintenance
Regularly maintaining your gas heating systems (or replacing damaged, older, and improperly installed furnaces) and periodically changing the batteries on your CO detectors can help prevent leaks from happening in the first place or detecting them as soon as they occur.
3. Ensure Proper Ventilation
All fuel-burning appliances should release combustion products (like CO) away from the home; any improper ventilation, cracks in ductwork, or improper seals mean CO can leak into the home.
4. Educate Yourself
Knowing the physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning as well as signs that a fuel-burning appliance is producing CO can help protect the home. Once you know these signs, you can take action right away.
What to Do If You Suspect a Carbon Monoxide Leak
If you suspect any carbon monoxide threat in the home, evacuate everyone—people and pets alike—right away. If possible, shut off the appliance on the way outside. Once everyone is safely outside, call the 911 emergency line. After calling 911, call your local utility company, if it is safe to do so.
Get Peace of Mind with Regular Inspections
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, but there are ways to protect the home. Knowing the signs of CO poisoning, installing CO detectors, and having an HVAC technician service your fuel-burning appliances annually means that you can reduce the risk that carbon monoxide poses to your home.
FAQs
What is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas produced by incomplete combustion. It is odorless, tasteless, and colorless, making it hard to detect without specialized CO detectors. That means people can breathe dangerous amounts of CO before realizing there is a problem. Too much CO exposure can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and, in some cases, death.
Can an air conditioner give off carbon monoxide?
No, an air conditioner does not produce carbon monoxide. However, it may circulate carbon monoxide already present in the home.
When is carbon monoxide commonly a concern?
Carbon monoxide poisoning is usually a greater concern in the colder months, when gas-powered heating systems are running.
What are signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Shortness of breath
How do you know when you're starting to breathe carbon monoxide?
The best way to detect CO is to use a carbon monoxide detector. Physical signs of CO poisoning that may warrant concern include shortness of breath, weakness, sleepiness, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and chest pain.
What should you do if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning?
If you suspect any carbon monoxide threat in the home, evacuate and call 911.
- Disclaimers: This article is for informational purposes only.
