Gas furnaces are safe when they’re working right. But a cracked part, a blocked vent or a bad burner can let carbon monoxide (CO) into your home. You can’t see or smell it, so the alarm on your wall is your early warning. As heating season starts in the Valley, here’s what to know.
CO alarm going off, or people feeling sick at home? Get everyone outside to fresh air right away and call 911. Don’t go back in to look for the cause.
Rather have a licensed HVAC pro handle it?
Free referral to a licensed local HVAC pro. A real person calls you back, 7 AM – 8 PM, 7 days a week.
Know the symptoms
Carbon monoxide poisoning can feel like the flu: headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness or confusion. A clue is when several people in the house feel unwell at the same time, and they feel better after leaving the house.
Check your CO alarms
- California law requires carbon monoxide alarms in most homes that have gas appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage.
- Place them outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
- Press the test button once a month, and change batteries on schedule.
- Alarms wear out. Check the date on the back and replace the alarm when the manufacturer says to.
Warning signs at the furnace
- The burner flame looks mostly yellow or flickers a lot, instead of mostly blue.
- Soot or scorch marks around the furnace or vent pipe.
- A vent pipe that’s loose, rusted, disconnected or blocked by stored boxes.
- Extra moisture or condensation on nearby windows when the heat runs.
- The furnace short-cycles, turning on and off over and over.
Simple habits that help
- Keep the area around the furnace clear, especially in garage and closet installs.
- Never run a car, generator or grill inside the garage or house, even with the door open.
- Have a licensed HVAC contractor inspect the furnace before winter. A tune-up is the best time to catch a cracked heat exchanger or a venting problem.
See what a maintenance visit includes, common furnace problems, and what it means when your heater smells like burning.
If a gas technician has shut off your furnace or wall heater as unsafe, see what it means and what to do next.
Need a licensed pro?
Call us and a real person will connect you with an independent, licensed heating contractor who serves your part of the San Fernando Valley. It’s free for homeowners.
More HVAC tips
Valley HVAC Network is a free referral service, not an HVAC contractor. All work is done by independent contractors licensed by the California CSLB. Learn how it works.
Prefer a callback?
Leave your name and number and a real person will call you back to connect you with a licensed local HVAC contractor. It’s free for homeowners, with no obligation. Or call (818) 658-2668.