Safety
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the #1 cause of poisoning in the United States. The safe and efficient operation of your HVAC equipment cannot be determined without testing using a calibrated combustion analyzer. Because the technology, instruments, and training to do this testing correctly have only been available for a few years, odds are it’s never been done in your home. GV’S Heating and Cooling has the expertise to diagnose potential CO exposure and generate an affordable plan to protect your family if needed.
It’s About Your Health And Safety
Carbon monoxide, even in small quantities, can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and the elderly. Millions of unsuspecting homeowners are exposed to low levels of CO and don’t even know it. Unfortunately, U.L.-Listed CO alarms don’t go off until your family has been exposed to 70 ppm (parts per million) for over 3-1/2 hours! Most international limits for unsafe levels, including OSHA and the World Health Organization’s guidelines, are between at 15-35 ppm.
Even New Equipment Needs To Be Tested
Anytime equipment is installed, it’s being exposed to conditions in which it hasn’t been tested to perform. Venting systems, combustion air, duct systems, additional appliances in the building, building pressure, etc., can all affect its operation. Besides that, after leaving the factory, it’s likely your equipment has been loaded and unloaded on trucks and transported several times. Vibration and shock can cause components to shift and move. The only way to truly know if your new equipment is operating safely and efficiently is to test it once it’s been installed.
Real HVAC Professionals Don’t Guess
They measure. CO testing is part of GV’S Heating and Cooling normal protocols. Odds are when the tech walks into your house he’ll be carrying some type of CO Monitor to immediately check if unsafe CO levels are present. When working on the equipment, the tech will likely drill a hole in the flue of the appliance, and insert the probe of an electronic combustion analyzer to check actual burner performance. Additional performance testing might require holes to be drilled into the ductwork as well. Once finished testing, he or she should provide documentation and review the results with you.
What Should I Expect From My Heating Professional?
As a consumer, you should expect your HVAC professional to be trained in current technology that makes sure you’re heating system is safe, comfortable, and efficient. These are probably things you may expect are mandatory, but unfortunately, they’re not. The number one benefit of having an NCI-Certified CO/Combustion Analyst, like GV’S Heating and Cooling HVAC, test your home and appliances for carbon monoxide is his or her extensive training and knowledge.
The HVAC professional should be trained to measure the safety and efficiency of all your combustion equipment, even appliances that he or she doesn’t normally sell or service. Thorough testing can also verify that your equipment is operating at peak efficiency and provide the lowest operating costs. Finally, he or she should provide you with documentation that explains what has been found and what corrections have been or need to be performed. He or she should also provide you with material to better educate you about carbon monoxide sources and their health effects.
