We all want our homes to be as safe and as comfortable as possible. Part of having a comfortable home is having modern conveniences, including appliances and other devices. Unfortunately, while these modern conveniences make our lives unimaginably easier than people had it mere decades ago, these appliances and devices aren’t without risk. Anything from something potentially easy to fix, like blowing a fuse, to more dangerous situations like causing fires or releasing harmful gases such as carbon monoxide are all possibilities.
Since it’s summertime on Long Island, we are likely cranking up the air conditioning more often than we’d probably like. Depending on how your home HVAC is set up, you may have already blown a fuse running the AC. While blowing a fuse certainly isn’t fun and should be avoided, it’s unlikely to be life-threatening. Is it possible that our AC units run the risk of producing harmful gases like carbon monoxide as well?
Do Air Conditioners Produce Harmful Gases?
The answer is a bit complicated. In some ways, yes, air conditioners produce harmful gases. Luckily in terms of your immediate safety, it isn’t gas like carbon monoxide in your home. Air conditioners create hydrofluorocarbon emissions that get into the atmosphere. While they won’t harm you in your home, they do eat away at the ozone layer and contribute to its thinning, resulting in the sun’s rays becoming more harmful.
To address this issue, the U.S. government has required air conditioning manufacturers to be more energy efficient and decrease the hydrofluorocarbon emissions produced. Using your AC in moderation will also help the environment and your energy bill.
Can Air Conditioners Produce Carbon Monoxide?
No, you won’t find carbon monoxide leaks related to your AC units. That said, if the piping in your air conditioner becomes compromised and leaks, it can cause refrigerant to leak. Refrigerant is poisonous to us and our pets.
Could Other Aspects of My Home HVAC System Produce Harmful Gases?
AC units might not be a carbon monoxide risk, but other aspects of your home HVAC systems could be. Heating systems run the risk of carbon monoxide emissions into your home, putting you and your family at risk. Having a carbon monoxide detector is definitely a wise and recommended choice. Also, maintaining your HVAC system can decrease the risk of carbon monoxide issues.
How Can I Improve Ventilation at Home?
One of the easiest things you can do is open windows and doors when possible and use fans to circulate the air. Filtering the air in your home can also be very beneficial, so replacing air filters regularly is important, or you may end up doing more harm than good. For these reasons, it’s important to have HVAC professionals check up on your systems and ensure everything is working properly. This way, they can work with you to maximize your home ventilation.
Express C.O.D Is Long Island’s Trusted Name for HVAC Needs
The experts at Tragar Home Services are equipped to handle all your HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair needs. We will make sure your HVAC systems are working for you and your family by checking your systems and recommending any necessary repairs to keep the air in your home clean.
Additionally, a division of Long Island’s trusted Tragar Home Services, Express C.O.D, provides discounted oil-on-demand delivery services with the ability to shop and place orders 24/7. We have more than 60 employees to help ensure speedy delivery and excellent customer service year-round, regardless of the weather. Contact us online or give us a call directly at (855) 426-3645 and let us know how we can help you.
