Ducted heating is a very common heating system in Australia, as well as around the globe. This heating system can easily keep your entire house warm. It draws the air inside your home with the help of a return air grille. Then this air passes through a gas exchanger, which is combusted by the gas.
Now, it does keep you warm in chilly winters, but there is something very important for you to know. There is a common narrative that a ducted heating system has carbon monoxide in it. But is it really true? Yes, the ducted heating system produces carbon monoxide and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if the combustion process remains incomplete due to any reason.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is a colourless, odourless, and combustible gas. It is a by-product of hydrocarbon combustion. CO can be found in gas appliances such as ducted heating, hot water units, etc. If they are in faulty condition or left unserviced Carbon monoxide can be deadly if it exceeds tolerable levels.
Signs Of Carbon Monoxide Leaking
Now, as we mentioned earlier, carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas. So how would you know if there is any gas leakage? Well, the first sign you can easily notice is your gas heater has a flickering or yellow frame in case of gas leakage. Other symptoms include:
- Visible rust on the vent pipe
- Streaks of moisture, soot around the walls and windows
- The flame is slower or weaker than normal conditions
- The pilot light is blowing out frequently
- Smelly, stuffy, or stale air that smells like something is burning or overheating.
Common Reasons For Carbon Monoxide Leaking
There can be several issues that may cause carbon monoxide leaking, such as:
- Obstruction of the flame
- Poor air-to-gas ratios
- Bad burners
- Inaccurate or incorrect gas operating pressures
- Cracks in the heat exchanger
Common Health Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning is not uncommon, and is accountable for many human lives all over the world. In fact, it is a silent killer and is fatal for highly vulnerable people such as older people, children, and the ill.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause both short terms as well as long term health problems.
Short Term Health Problems
- Nausea
- Frequent headaches
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Flu
- Sickness
- Pet sickness
Long Term Health Symptoms
- Heart complications
- Brain damage
- Memory loss
How Can You Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leak In Ducted System
The first and the most important preventive measure you should take is getting your gas heater or similar devices regularly maintained/serviced by a professional at least once a year. Professional heater service such as Heating Experts, know how to service your appliance properly and look for leaks or cracks.
Apart from that, you should:
- Change the filter of your appliance/system regularly.
- Install a CO detector in your home
- Keep all the vents in your house debris-free
Why Heating Experts
Carbon monoxide leak repair is not something you should do by yourself. If you are facing such problems, give us a call immediately. We have licensed and fully insured technicians offering repair and maintenance services for all heating and cooling units. Call us at 1300 100 040.