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Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Danger

Carbon Monoxide is a Silent and Preventable Threat

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 170 people die in the U.S. every year from non-automotive-related carbon monoxide poisoning. These deaths are attributed to products and equipment in homes and workplaces that are silently emitting the odorless, colorless, invisible poisonous gas. Though awareness of the gas has certainly led to safer conditions and monitoring, the fact remains that carbon monoxide is still deadly. Homeowners should be aware of the potential sources of carbon monoxide and the dangers associated with the items that emit this all-too-common toxin.

What is carbon monoxide—and why is it dangerous?

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, deadly gas that is created when fuels are not burned completely. These gases include propane, natural gas, oil, kerosene, and coal. Exposure to carbon monoxide in small doses can lead to general sickness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, disorientation, and other flu-like symptoms. Carbon monoxide exposure that persists and is not treated can lead to death.

What are some sources of carbon monoxide in my home?

Anything that uses fuel to run can be a potential source of carbon monoxide. Some specific examples include lawn mowers, furnaces, water heaters, generators, fireplaces, gas stoves, and power washers. People who smoke cigarettes or pipes in the home also release carbon monoxide into the air. A quick inventory of your home should reveal several potential sources of carbon monoxide, including items you may not have ever considered dangerous in the past.

How will I know if I’ve been poisoned by carbon monoxide?

There are many symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning that are often easily attributed to other ailments. These symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue

More pronounced symptoms include:

  • Vomiting
  • Loss of muscular coordination
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Loss of consciousness

You may not immediately realize that your strange behavior or discomfort is the result of carbon monoxide poisoning, but you should consult your doctor if you notice any symptoms that seem to have no other explanation (and even some that do).

How can I tell if there are unsafe levels of carbon monoxide in my home?

This gas is virtually untraceable. Carbon monoxide detectors are the best way to know if there are any leaks in your home, but there are other signs, too. These signs include:

  • Excess condensation on windows or doors
  • Rust on furnace parts or adjoining parts
  • The color of the flame on the pilot light of a gas furnace. If it is yellow, instead of blue, carbon monoxide is present in dangerous amounts

How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in my home?

As mentioned above, a carbon monoxide detector or alarm is the best way to know if your home is at risk. Make sure these alarms are up to the current safety codes (UL 2034). If they are outdated, throw them away and invest in new detectors, some like the Nest Protect have advanced features. Install a carbon monoxide alarm in or near every sleeping area of the home. People should also install carbon monoxide alarms in their boats and recreational vehicles. Carbon monoxide detectors should be tested every month, and the batteries should be changed every six months, whether the alarm responds to testing or not.

Some other ways to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Make sure all appliances, including furnaces, are properly installed by high-quality professionals like Bob Jenson.
  • Avoid operation of portable generators or similar gas-powered units in an enclosed space, like a garage. It is not enough to open windows or doors. Carbon monoxide levels can still be deadly when trapped.
  • Never allow running vehicles inside garages or sheds, even if there is a door open.
  • Open the flue of your fireplace when it’s in use for proper ventilation.
  • Avoid using gas-operated units, like ovens or clothing dryers, to heat your home.
  • Never cover propane or natural gas ovens with aluminum foil. This blocks proper air flow, leading to carbon monoxide buildup.
  • Always pay attention to the owner’s manuals and instructions when it comes to fuel-powered appliances and equipment to ensure proper use.
  • Hire a professional to inspect your heating systems at least once every year to check for signs of carbon monoxide problems.
  • Repair any damage or leaks in fuel-powered appliances, vehicles, units, and equipment in your home and any tools used for camping/outdoor recreation.
  • Be aware of your home and any changes in appliances—and health of family members—that could signal carbon monoxide poisoning.

Thankfully, the resources exist to protect every homeowner from deadly, untraceable carbon monoxide. However, don’t rely on any single method to protect you and your family. For example, several weeks may have passed since a carbon monoxide detector has been tested, and in the meantime, the batteries may have died. If you think there is any chance of a leak in the home, test the detector again and call in the help of a professional if it sounds or you are unsure if it is working.

Understanding the Law in California

Law states that all existing single-family dwellings that contain a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace or an attached garage must install carbon monoxide alarms. All other existing dwellings (multi-family) shall comply by January 1, 2013. CO alarms must be either battery-powered or plug-in with battery backup. CO alarms must be installed outside of sleeping areas and on every level of a dwelling, including the basement.

The Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (Senate Bill 183) required owners of all existing single-family dwellings containing a fossil fuel source or attached garage to install CO alarm devices within the dwelling by July 1, 2011. Owners of multi-family leased/rental dwellings (i.e. apartment buildings) have until January 1, 2013 to comply with the law? Separately, in January, the California Department of Housing and Community Development proposed a new rule that would require carbon monoxide alarms in additional types of housing. Mobile and/or manufactured housing with up to two dwelling units would be required to comply by July 1, 2012, and mobile and/or manufactured housing with more than two dwelling units would be required to comply by January 1, 2013.

California Bill, SB 1394, originated as a law affecting CO alarms in hotels and motels but now includes several smoke alarm requirements, too. Please note that it has not yet passed the California Assembly and will be required to do so before heading to the governor.

For several months, SB 1394, which requires the installation of carbon monoxide devices in all existing hotel and motel dwelling units, has been working its way through the legislative process in California. SB 1394 accomplishes two primary purposes: (1) it delays the effective date of the CO detection requirements for hotels and motels until January 1, 2016; and (2) codifies many of the recommendations made by the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Smoke Alarms Task Force in the report published in August 2011 (Report http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/SFM_SATF_Rpt.pdf).

5 Healthy Home Tips for 2014

Create a Healthy Home in 2014

Nobody wants to live in a home that is dusty, dirty, crawling with pests, or filled with toxic air. Living in a home that isn’t properly maintained can actually make those living in the home and those who visit physically sick; especially individuals who are prone to allergies.

Keeping your home maintained and clean not only shows you have pride in your abode, but also shows that you care about the well-being of yourself, your family, and your friends. 2014 is just around the corner, and that means that now is as good a time as ever to put those healthy home tips into place.

Maintain Your Home’s HVAC Unit

Maintaining your home’s HVAC unit is a priority for a healthy home. The filters in your HVAC unit collect dirt and potentially dangerous grime over time. Dust collected on the unit can be rotated through your home several times a day, creating a consistent stream of allergen-ridden air. The cleaner the HVAC filter and unit are, the cleaner the air circulating throughout your home and the lower the chance of allergic reactions or chronic allergy issues. Contact a professional HVAC company like Bob Jenson for regular maintenance of your HVAC system.

Keep Dust to a Minimum

Dust rolling around the house and hiding in unsuspecting places causes allergies to flare up and creates an uncomfortable living space full of sniffles and sneezes. One of the easiest ways to keep dust at bay is to vacuum a couple times a week. Ensure each time you vacuum that the vacuum bag or dirt container and filter are clean and adequate suction is maintained. Vacuuming with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter is also recommended for allergy-prone individuals. A HEPA filter helps get all the unwanted particles out of the air—even those small enough to slip through conventional filters. Dust build-up can also become great kindling in areas that commonly overheat. This means that the dust in your home is not only hazardous for allergy sufferers, but it can also be a fire hazard.

Have Your Home Tested for Lead and Radon

Lead and radon poisoning can be detrimental to a household if not caught early and taken care of right away. Lead poisoning can cause serious damage, especially in young children. This type of damage can range from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizure or even death. The biggest source of lead in a home comes from old, peeling paint and the dust created as it erodes. The easiest way to test for lead paint is with a lead paint testing kit that can be purchased from your local home improvement store or health department.

Radon is known to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. This type of gas is colorless and odorless, and some level of radon exists in most homes in the U.S. This type of gas is created as uranium breaks down in the soil underneath the home and leaks into the house. Radon home test kits are also available at local hardware and home improvement stores for a low cost.

Limit the Use of Pesticides

Using certain pesticides in your home to kill unwanted critters such as mice, bugs, or other intruders can put your family at risk. Pesticides can cause learning disabilities, asthma, and even brain development problems if family members are exposed. A better option is to focus on prevention by putting safeguards in place to keep unwanted critters at bay or try a safer alternative. For example a little dish soap and water sprayed on red ants can kill them and is non-toxic! Keep food off the counters, block up external entrances to the home (drafty doors or open cellars), and take out the trash regularly to keep up a clean, uninviting space. Ask your local pest management company about their organic options the next time you’re due for a service.

Filter Your Tap Water

Filtering your tap water can remove an array of contaminants, including chemicals, bacteria, and sloughed-off elements from eroding pipes. Studies show that filtered tap water may even be better for you than bottled water, as the regulations on tap water are stricter than bottled. A yearly report is required to be published by the EPA to identify known contaminants in tap water so that you are aware of what you are exposed to. Although there are EPA regulations in place on tap water, filtering adds an extra layer of protection for you and your family.

A healthy home environment can help keep individuals in the home illness and disease free. By vacuuming regularly to keep the dust to a minimum, maintaining the HVAC unit, testing for lead and radon, stopping use of commercial pesticides, and filtering tap water, you build a healthier environment in which to not just live, but thrive in 2014.

6 Benefits of Good Indoor Air Quality

Why is Indoor Air Quality so Important?

You breathe in about 11,000 liters of air a day, allowing you to live life and do all the cool things that you do, but not all air is created equal. If you’ve been in a room without ventilation or a functioning air conditioning system, you know how stale and unpleasant the air can get.

Fortunately, Bob Jenson Air Conditioning and Heating can install, maintain, and repair your HVAC system to keep your air quality healthy. But why is it so important? Keep reading to learn about a handful of benefits that come with maintaining good indoor air quality.

1. Easy breathing

Breathing is, for the most part, an unconscious action. You do it without thinking about it much, but if your home’s air quality is low, breathing can feel like trying to suck air through a coffee stirrer. Even if you don’t realize it, your body does. Surviving on shallow breaths puts a lot of stress on your body, especially your heart and lungs, making even climbing a flight of stairs a physically tiring task. With clean air, you can take big, easy breaths and give your body the oxygen it needs.

2. Better sleep

Our respiration changes when we’re asleep such that our breathing rate decreases and becomes much steadier. But during REM sleep, breathing rate increases and fluctuates as much as it would when you’re awake.

So as important as air is when you’re awake, it’s just as important when you’re asleep. Try to sleep with something covering your face or mouth. You definitely won’t be comfortable and will spend most of the night tossing and turning. Respiratory irritation and airborne allergens affect the quality of your sleep, leading to sleep-disordered breathing problems such as sleep apnea. With clean indoor air, you won’t have to worry about breathing problems, so you can wake up feeling refreshed.

3. Elimination of allergens

Reportedly, somewhere between 10 and 30 percent of the global population suffers from allergic rhinitis—what we know as hay fever—which is characterized by sneezing, congestion, an itchy throat, and irritated eyes. Hay fever is caused by allergens, which are airborne particles that you may be allergic to. The most common of which include:

  • Dust
  • Animal dander
  • Mold spores
  • Cockroach debris
  • Pollen

These allergens float in the air but eventually fall onto flat surfaces, leaving a thin, seemingly furry film on surfaces. The heavier the allergen, the faster it settles out of the air and onto a flat surface.

Eliminating allergens ensures that you’re not sneezing up a storm or otherwise suffering in your own home. Aside from frequent vacuuming, maintaining your home’s ventilation and air conditioning system keeps allergens at bay, filtering out the particles from outdoor air to give you just the good stuff. Having the right type of filtration and having it properly installed, will make a big difference on how clean your air is.

4. Reduced odors

Whether you cook a lot of fish, forget to clean your cat’s litter box, or have housemates who eat exclusively bean burritos, odors are always a potential problem. The smell of onion breath or B.O. isn’t anyone’s cup of tea, but bad smells also have a very real effect on your mood, thoughts, behaviors, and dreams. Bad odors can leave you uncharacteristically grumpy and irritable. On the other hand, good smells—like chamomile, flowers, and citrus—improve your mood, reduce stress, and lower your heart rate.

Furthermore, odors are about as distracting as someone slurping their food. If you’re trying to study or get work done at home, you have to try that much harder to focus on your work because of the pungent, musty mystery smell creeping through your home. You shouldn’t have to walk through your home with a clothespin on your noise.

Traditional filters, even HEPA filters, will not remove odor and sprays may just mask them for a while. The key is to break down the organic material (VOC’s) in the air that causes the smell in the first place. UV filters with a special catalyst like this PureAir do just that.

5. Balanced humidity

Good indoor air quality also means a good balance of humidity. Humidity, which is the amount of water in the air, affects all aspects of your immediate environment. Too much humidity makes your home feel stuffy and moist, which makes breathing feel heavy. The extra moisture causes mold growth and increased dust mite populations while also attracting pests.
At the same time, not enough humidity makes for cold and dry conditions that lead to irritated skin, static shock, frequent nosebleeds, and completely uncooperative hair.

Air conditioning, ventilation, and humidifiers or dehumidifiers balance humidity for better health and comfortable living. Some thermostats can display the current percentage of humidity in your home. Ideally, your indoor humidity should be around 45 percent.

6. Reduced energy costs

The steps required to maintain your air quality—improving airflow and ventilation, maintaining humidity and carbon dioxide levels—all go toward optimizing your HVAC system and ensuring that it doesn’t work too hard to keep your home healthy. Efficiency inevitably leads to reduced costs on your utility bill.

You shouldn’t be getting sick from the air in your own home, so take the necessary steps to ensure good indoor air quality. Happy breathing!

Top 10 Allergy Myths Busted!

Allergies – Fact Or Fiction?

Like getting in the ring and getting knocked around, allergies can take us down hard. It can be a battle to get through them but it’s nice to know what’s true and what’s false about allergies. Let’s tighten our gloves and do some allergy myth busting!

Top Ten Allergy Myths Busted

Creating A Sanctuary from Sneezing:

You may not be able to control when you breath in an irritant that you’re allergic to while your out and about, but you can bolster your defenses at home to give your body a break from the fight. The right filtration can keep your home free or at least greatly reduce the amount of junk in the air, so you can breath easy and recover. Give us a call today and we’ll come out for free to give you some options and help you achieve cleaner air!

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