Ideal Heating & Air Conditioning Service

Learn what to do if you find your Bryant furnace leaking carbon monoxide. Ideal Heating & Air Conditioning will help answer the following questions:

1. Is It Safe for a Furnace to Leak Carbon Monoxide?

2. What to Do if You Find a Carbon Monoxide Leak

3. Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide

4. How Do You Tell if Your Furnace Is Giving off Carbon Monoxide?

Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or safety advice. Always speak with a medical or safety professional, or contact one of our HVAC experts to get information on what you should do in your specific situation.

Find out what you need to know to prevent problems from your Bryant furnace leaking carbon monoxide.

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Protect Yourself: Bryant Furnace Leaking Carbon Monoxide

If your Bryant furnace is leaking carbon monoxide (CO), the first priority is to immediately evacuate your home and call emergency services. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous, odorless gas that can cause serious health issues or even death. Once safe, take the following next steps:

  • Turn off the furnace (Note: If you or anyone else is feeling dizzy, nauseous, or unwell, do not attempt to turn it off.)
  • Have a professional inspect your furnace
  • Open windows for ventilation
  • Make sure any CO detectors in your home are functioning properly

A qualified HVAC technician should inspect and repair any leaks, which may involve replacing components such as the heat exchanger. To prevent future issues, ensure regular furnace maintenance and have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home. Keep reading and we’ll help answer the questions below. But remember, if you suspect you have a CO leak, seek professional help.

1. Is It Safe for a Furnace to Leak Carbon Monoxide?

As you might have guessed, the answer is NO! It is not safe for a furnace to leak carbon monoxide (CO).

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can be lethal if inhaled in high concentrations. Even small amounts of CO exposure over time can lead to serious health problems, including headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and, in severe cases, death. CO leaks from furnaces often occur due to the following reasons:

  • Cracked heat exchangers 
  • Poor ventilation

If a furnace is leaking CO, it must be shut off immediately, and the home should be evacuated. Emergency services should be contacted, and the furnace should be inspected by a professional before use. Installing carbon monoxide detectors is critical to detect leaks early and prevent dangerous exposure.

If your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide (CO), evacuate your home immediately. 

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2. What to Do if You Find a Carbon Monoxide Leak

If you find or suspect a carbon monoxide (CO) leak, follow these essential steps:

  • Evacuate the Building: Immediately get everyone, including pets, out of the home to a safe, well-ventilated area. Do not stay inside, as carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless killer.

  • Call Emergency Services: Dial 911 or your local emergency number to report the CO leak. Emergency responders will guide you and check CO levels.

  • Turn Off Furnace/Source: If it’s safe to do so, turn off the furnace or other appliance causing the leak. Avoid turning on electrical appliances or lights, as they could trigger more issues.

  • Ventilate the Area: Open all windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter and disperse the CO.

  • Seek Medical Attention: If anyone in the home shows symptoms of CO poisoning (headaches, dizziness, nausea), seek medical attention immediately.

  • Contact a Professional: Once it is safe, have a licensed HVAC technician inspect and repair the source of the leak. This might involve repairing or replacing parts like the furnace’s heat exchanger.

  • Install or Check Detectors: Ensure you have functioning carbon monoxide detectors in your home, and replace old units if necessary.

Following these steps is crucial for ensuring your safety in the event of a carbon monoxide leak.

A qualified HVAC technician should inspect and repair your Bryant furnace leaking carbon monoxide.

3. Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide

Common causes of carbon monoxide (CO) in homes include:

  • Faulty Furnaces or Boilers: Cracked or malfunctioning heat exchangers, poor ventilation, or blocked exhaust flues can cause CO to leak into living spaces.

  • Gas-Powered Appliances: Appliances like water heaters, gas stoves, and ovens that aren’t vented properly or malfunction can emit CO.

  • Blocked Chimneys or Flues: A blocked chimney can trap CO inside your home, especially when using fireplaces, wood stoves, or gas-powered heating systems.

  • Running Vehicles in Enclosed Spaces: Running a car in an attached garage, even with the door open, can cause CO to build up inside the home.

  • Portable Generators or Space Heaters: Using gas-powered generators or heaters indoors or in poorly ventilated areas can lead to dangerous CO levels.

  • Improperly Vented Gas Fireplaces: Gas fireplaces that don’t have proper ventilation can emit CO if not properly maintained​

Ensuring proper installation, maintenance, and ventilation of gas-powered appliances and installing CO detectors can help prevent these risks.

Common symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and confusion.

(Image Source: Andrea Piacquadio)

4. How Do You Tell if Your Furnace Is Giving off Carbon Monoxide?

It can be difficult to detect carbon monoxide (CO) leaks from your furnace because CO is colorless and odorless. However, there are signs that may indicate a furnace is producing carbon monoxide:

  • Yellow or Flickering Pilot Light: A healthy furnace should have a blue flame. A yellow or flickering flame can be a sign of improper combustion, which may lead to CO production.

  • Soot or Black Streaks Around the Furnace: This could indicate incomplete combustion, which often results in CO release.

  • Excess Moisture or Condensation: If windows or walls near your furnace show an unusual buildup of moisture, it may indicate inefficient combustion and potential CO production.

  • Rusted or Cracked Heat Exchanger: This key component separates the combustion gases (including CO) from the air circulated in your home. A damaged heat exchanger can allow CO to escape into the air supply.

  • Unexplained Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and confusion—especially when only experienced indoors—are signs of CO poisoning.

  • CO Detector Alerts: The most reliable way to know if your furnace is leaking CO is by having properly installed carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

If you suspect CO production, turn off your furnace immediately, evacuate your home, and contact emergency services and an HVAC professional for inspection​.

Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent carbon monoxide leaks. If your furnace needs maintenance or repair, contact Ideal Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment. Contact Ideal today and get peace of mind

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