Do I Need to Worry About Carbon Monoxide if the Forced Air Heater Won't Stop Running?

Carbon Monoxide

• Carbon monoxide is a by-product of fuel combustion. Gas, coal and wood burning appliances can produce carbon monoxide. The appliances are constructed so that carbon monoxide is vented to the outside air, where it dissipates and can't do any harm. But if a vent is blocked or flue pipes crack, carbon monoxide can leak into your home. When you breathe in carbon monoxide, it replaces the oxygen in your bloodstream. At first, you may experience a dull headache or feel sleepy. Some people have no symptoms at all until they pass out. Unless they're transported to fresh air quickly, they can die.

Causes of Furnace Running

• According to Kansas State University Engineering Extension, furnaces are designed to withstand long periods of operation. In colder weather, it's not unusual for a forced air furnace to run almost non-stop to maintain the proper temperature in the room. If your furnace runs all the time, first consider how cold it is outside. The colder the temperature, the more the furnace will run. Adding insulation, covering windows, and caulking around windows and doors could improve your home's efficiency and result in the furnace running less. A furnace that isn't the right size for the home may also run more. But even running all the time, a properly maintained furnace won't leak carbon monoxide into the home, no matter how long it runs.

What to Do

• Have your furnace checked each year by a technician, who'll make sure the flu isn't cracked and that the furnace is operating properly. During heavy snows, make sure snow doesn't block vents on the roof of the house. Every home with gas, coal or wood-burning appliances should have a working carbon monoxide detector. These detectors sound an alarm if carbon monoxide in the home builds up to dangerous levels.

Emergency Response

• If you suspect you have a carbon monoxide leak, leave the house immediately and take other family members and pets with you. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, fatigue and nausea, symptoms that mimic those caused by the flu and other ailments. Not everyone experiences these symptoms. If you feel better once you're in the fresh air, this could be a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning. Don't return to the house until a technician has checked the heating system. If anyone passes out from carbon monoxide exposure, seek emergency medical help at once.