Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

Can Gas Fireplaces Give off Carbon Monoxide

It is a common misconception that gas fireplaces are not a carbon monoxide (CO) risk. In fact, all fuel-burning appliances, even gas, can pose some sort of carbon monoxide risk. At Old Smokey’s we want to you to understand that even though there are some carbon monoxide risks associated with gas fireplaces, if you follow a few simple safety guidelines, you can keep your home free from this toxic gas.

What is Carbon Monoxide and How Does My Gas Fireplace Produce it?

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is produced when carbon-based fuels such as wood, charcoal, gasoline and natural gas do not combust completely. It is completely colorless, tasteless, and odorless making it impossible to detect with human senses alone. Inhaling carbon monoxide causes a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. Over time, this can cause:

• fatigue,
• headaches,
• nausea
• and can eventually lead to organ failure or even death.

Your gas fireplace will produce trace amounts of carbon monoxide. However, if your fireplace has been properly installed and periodically maintained by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified technician, carbon monoxide will be vented out of your home. If you own a ventless gas fireplace, your oxygen-detection sensor should protect you from carbon monoxide building up in your fireplace. Issues occur when your fireplace isn’t being properly maintained. Clogged vents, faulty sensors, and dirty fireplace components can all lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Invest in a Carbon Monoxide Detector.

A carbon monoxide detector is a safety device designed to alarm you when carbon monoxide levels are starting to reach a dangerous level. No matter how comfortable you are with the condition of your gas fireplace, you should always have a carbon monoxide detector installed nearby.

Schedule Periodic Inspections

Periodic inspections are vital to the health of your gas fireplace. The CSIA suggests having your fireplace and ventilation inspected at least once a year by a CSIA-certified technician. During your inspection, a certified technician will be able to check your ventilation, sensors, and burners to see if there are any potential issues. If there are, they will be able to tell you what needs to be done to remedy the situation.

You don’t need to live in fear of carbon monoxide gas. Keeping up with annual inspections and installing monitoring devices should give you the peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your fireplace. If you have any questions about carbon monoxide or would like to schedule a gas fireplace inspection, please call Old Smokey’s at 800-876-6539, or schedule an appointment online to have one of our CSIA-certified chimney technicians assist you today!

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Some dangers and risks are obvious, like a fire or tornado. Others are more hidden, like cancer or other diseases. Carbon monoxide poisoning falls into the second category. Carbon monoxide, or CO, poses serious health and safety risks in the home. It’s something we at Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney understand. We’re eager to share our expertise on this important matter.

CO is an odorless and colorless gas.

That makes it a silent and stealthy threat, a potentially deadly one. Despite being odorless and colorless, CO is detectable. CO monitors in homes offer some protection from the health risks associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. But you really want to prevent that CO monitor from ever going off in the first place. It’s important to identify and remedy the source of any CO intrusions. Old Smokey’s can help with that.

Sources of fuel combustion can pose a threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is a normal by-product of combustion, whether it’s from a fireplace, a stove, an oven, a hearth or a furnace. The use of either central heating or a space heater can bring a health threat from CO. To pose a health risk, carbon monoxide can either escape from your heating appliance or not be vented properly.

At Old Smokey’s, we are not medical experts, but we do know heating appliances. We are experts when it comes to fireplaces and hearths. We can help you stay safe and healthy in your home as you enjoy the benefits of firewood or gas heating.

Exposure to CO.

Induces symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea or irregular breathing. Again, we are not healthcare providers, but we suggest that you be alert to these warning signs.

As for carbon monoxide sources in the home, Old Smokey’s typically targets furnaces, wood- or pellet-burning fireplaces or stoves, and gas appliances. We verify that your venting system is free of any obstructions that would prevent CO from being properly emitted to the outdoors.

Old Smokey’s employs CSIA-certified professionals. This means we adhere to rigorous standards and practices, not only regarding carbon monoxide poisoning but in all health and safety matters related to your fireplace and chimney.

For more than 20 years, Old Smokey’s has served homeowners in northern Indiana, northern Ohio and mid-Michigan. We serve folks from Elkhart in the west to Ypsilanti in the east, from Lansing in the north to Defiance and Fort Wayne in the south.

Trust In Us.

Old Smokey’s CSIA-certified professionals have the skills and tools to service your fireplace and chimney according to the strictest standards and practices. More importantly, they know the ins and outs of combustion practices in the home to look for silent sources of risk like carbon monoxide poisoning.

Call us at today 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 or schedule an appointment online.

Let Old Smokey’s help you add a layer of comfort and assurance as you enjoy a properly working furnace, fireplace, or chimney.