Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can build up in your home. Even small amounts of it can be dangerous. But what exactly causes carbon monoxide in a house?

In this guide, we’ll go over the sources, warning signs, and how to detect carbon monoxide in your home. With this information, you can protect your loved ones from this hidden hazard. 

What Is Carbon Monoxide? 

Carbon monoxide is a gas that forms when fuels like gas, wood, charcoal, propane, and oil don’t burn completely. This incomplete combustion often happens when stoves, fireplaces, water heaters, generators, and car engines don’t work properly. While these fuels aren’t dangerous when used in open, well-ventilated areas, CO becomes a serious risk in confined spaces like kitchens, detached garages,  basements, campers, and cars.

You can’t see, taste, or smell carbon dioxide, yet it interferes with your blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Once inhaled, it binds to red blood cells and prevents oxygen from reaching your organs. Even small amounts can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, or confusion. Plus, these symptoms are usually associated with the flu, so it’s easy to miss CO poisoning.

The risk grows when fuel-burning appliances aren’t properly maintained or when areas are poorly ventilated. For these reasons, carbon monoxide detectors are crucial. They warn you before CO levels get dangerous. Regular maintenance of appliances and proper ventilation also help reduce the risk. 

What Could Give Off Carbon Monoxide in a House?

Carbon monoxide can come from many items in your house. Here are the most common sources to watch out for:

1. Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces are a leading source of carbon monoxide in homes. CO can leak into your house if the fuel doesn’t burn completely or the system is faulty.

2. Gas Water Heaters

Water heaters powered by gas also release carbon monoxide. Plus, poor ventilation or improper installation increases the risk of CO buildup indoors.

3. Gas Stoves

Gas stoves produce carbon monoxide while cooking. In addition, the gas can quickly build up in kitchens without proper airflow. 

3. Fireplaces and Wood-Burning Stoves

Both fireplaces and wood-burning stoves release carbon monoxide when fuel isn’t burned completely. The risk increases if the chimney or vent is blocked.

4.  Vehicles

Running cars, trucks, or SUVs inside attached garages, even with the door open, can let CO seep into your house.

5. Generators

Portable generators are one of the most dangerous CO sources. They can fill your home with CO when used indoors or too close to windows and doors.

6. Gas-Powered Tools

Tools like gas-powered lawn mowers, snow blowers, and pressure washers produce CO during use, especially in closed areas. 

7. Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills give off carbon monoxide as well. Using them indoors, in tents, or enclosed patios can be dangerous.

What Are Two Warning Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Two common warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are a persistent headache and feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Some people also feel weak or unusually tired. As exposure continues, nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain, and confusion can develop.

Since carbon monoxide has no smell or taste, these symptoms are often the only clue that something is wrong. They can start out mild but get worse if the gas keeps building up in your body. If you or anyone in your home experiences these symptoms at the same time, get fresh air immediately and contact the authorities for help.

How Can You Tell if There Is Carbon Monoxide in Your House?

You can tell if there’s carbon monoxide in your home by using detectors and paying attention to warning signs. The most reliable method is installing carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your house and in or near bedrooms. Find out more about carbon monoxide detector placement here. 

You should also check the batteries twice a year and replace the detector every five years. Some models have digital displays that show CO levels in real time.

On top of detectors, watch for symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, or confusion. They warn you of CO buildup, even if you don’t see anything unusual. 

Keep an eye on your appliances, too. Yellow or flickering pilot lights, soot, or staining around furnaces, stoves, and water heaters could also mean a leak. Other signs include a stuffy or stale feeling in the home, excessive window condensation, or poor ventilation.

Get everyone out immediately when your detector goes off or you notice symptoms. Call emergency services and don’t go back inside until professionals say it’s safe. If anyone is feeling sick, get medical attention right away. 

Do You Need Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors? 

You can also consider getting a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector. They give two types of protection in one unit by detecting smoke from fires and dangerous levels of CO.

Most combination detectors use ionization or photoelectric sensors for smoke and electrochemical sensors for CO. Some models also have voice alerts that tell you whether smoke or CO triggers the alarm. 

Don’t forget regular maintenance, too. Test it monthly and replace the batteries as needed. Remember, a working detector can make a huge difference in keeping your home and family safe.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are important, but they’re just one part of home safety. Use them with fire sprays, fire blankets, and flame shields for extra protection. And if you want reliable, easy-to-use, and affordable tools to put out small fires before they spread, check out Prepared Hero’s fire prevention tools here. You can get up to 51% off on certain items. 

How to Get Rid of Carbon Monoxide in a House Quickly

Carbon monoxide is dangerous because you can’t see, taste, or smell it. Here’s how to clear it out quickly and keep everyone safe: 

1. Ventilate the House

Let fresh air in first. Open all windows and doors to push the carbon monoxide out of the house. If you have fans, use them to help move the air faster.

2. Turn Off Appliances

Shut down all fuel-burning appliances if it’s safe to do so. This includes gas stoves, ovens, furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, and generators. Leaving them running just makes the problem worse.

3. Get Everyone Outside

Move everyone outside for fresh air immediately. If anyone feels dizzy, has a headache, nausea, or trouble breathing, get medical help right away and mention possible CO exposure.

4. Call for Help

Call 911 or your local fire department if your CO detector goes off or you suspect a leak. Don’t go back inside until they say it’s safe.

5. Find the Source

After the immediate danger settles down, call a licensed technician to check your fuel-burning appliances, chimneys, and vents. They can identify the cause of the leak and repair what’s broken.

6. Prevent Future Problems

Keep appliances maintained, schedule yearly inspections, and install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and in or near bedrooms to avoid another incident. 

Does Opening Windows Reduce CO?

Yes, opening windows can help reduce CO in your home. However, it’s only a temporary measure, not a full solution. Fresh air dilutes CO and lowers its concentration. Meanwhile, opening doors and windows lets air in that can carry the gas out. These can help, but they don’t remove the immediate danger if the CO source is still active.

Ventilation works best after you shut off the carbon monoxide source, like a gas appliance or a running vehicle. So, open windows along your exit path as you leave the house for more airflow. Once outside, the open windows can help clear any remaining CO, but only after the source is safely turned off.

Take note, CO can still build up if the airflow isn’t strong, and it won’t protect you from immediate poisoning. The priority is to evacuate, get fresh air, and call 911 if your detector activates or you suspect CO.

In short, opening windows helps by bringing in fresh air and creating a path for CO to leave, but it’s only a part of the safety plan. Shutting off the source, evacuating, calling the authorities, and having appliances professionally inspected are the real lifesavers. Ventilation can help make your home safer and reduce CO levels faster, but it doesn’t replace primary safety measures.

How Long Does It Take for Carbon Monoxide to Build Up in a House?

Carbon monoxide can quickly build up in a house depending on the leak’s size, the ventilation, and who’s there. A severe leak can fill a space with CO in as fast as five minutes. Mild leaks take longer, sometimes one to two hours. On the flip side, minor leaks slowly reach risky levels (in several hours). Even then, symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or nausea can take time to appear, making CO sneaky and dangerous.

Several factors affect how quickly the gas accumulates. For one, concentration matters.  For instance, a huge leak from a malfunctioning furnace, water heater, or car running in an attached garage will build up faster than a small leak. 

Ventilation plays a big role, too. Sealed rooms with little to no airflow let CO build up quickly. On the other hand, open, airy spaces slow down the buildup. The source itself also matters. Any poorly maintained or misused fuel-burning appliance can release CO.

High CO levels can be fatal within minutes, especially for vulnerable people like young children, older adults, or anyone with health issues. Moderate leaks might make people sick for an hour or two, while low-level exposure can be harmful if it continues for several hours.

Can Carbon Monoxide Come From an AC?

No, air conditioners (ACs) don’t produce carbon monoxide because they run on electricity and don’t burn fuel. CO is only produced when fuel incompletely burns, which AC units don’t do. However, an AC can spread CO if another appliance in your home is leaking it.

For example, fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, water heaters, or gas stoves can produce CO if they’re malfunctioning or poorly vented. If that gas leaks into areas like your attic, crawlspace, or ductwork, your AC can spread it with the cool air and put everyone at risk.

Stay safe by installing carbon monoxide detectors and replacing the batteries when needed. Scheduling yearly maintenance for your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system also helps. A professional can check for cracks, blockages, or venting issues that might let CO leak into your home.

Plus, make sure all other fuel-burning appliances are installed and maintained correctly. Even small leaks can be dangerous over time. Remember, the AC doesn’t produce CO, but it can move it around if there’s a leak somewhere. Being proactive with detectors and maintenance is the best way to keep your home safe. 

How Long Does CO Stay in Your System?

Carbon monoxide can stay in your system for hours. How fast it clears mainly depends on the oxygen you breathe. If you breathe fresh air, about half the CO could be gone in four to six hours. Breathing 100% oxygen can speed this up and reduce the half-life to around 80 minutes.

Symptoms like headache, dizziness, or nausea could also improve once you breathe in fresh air. However, some effects can stick for a day or two. In severe cases, symptoms might last up to two weeks and cause long-term health issues. So, always seek medical help after CO exposure.

Conclusion

Carbon monoxide is a serious but hidden danger in homes. Knowing the sources, warning signs, and how to detect it is key. Install CO detectors, maintain fuel-burning appliances, and act fast if your detectors go off. Being alert can keep your family safe and prevent dangerous CO exposure in your home. Stay prepared, hero!