It seems like the flu has been going around lately. But is it really the flu? Carbon-monoxide poisoning can look just like the flu, with headache, nausea and fatigue. Chances are that your home is free from any Carbon-monoxide (CO) issues. You experience flu like symptoms at home that seem to disappear when you’re away from your home, have your furnace inspected immediately.

With the cool nights, most of us have been running our heaters. Faulty heaters and blocked vents are the leading cause of CO buildup in the home. Over time furnaces will form tiny cracks in the combustion chamber. You may not be able to see the cracks. The CO leaks into your home through the many tiny cracks. Each year around 500 people in the US die from CO poisoning and 15,200 people visit the hospital because of it.

A clean efficiently running furnace will give you safe and economical heat. But a furnace that’s not running in top shape can be deadly. Every furnace produces some CO. Usually it’s carried away by the furnace venting. A clean heater makes very little CO, while a dirty, inefficient heater can create deadly amounts of CO. The best way to prevent CO poisoning is to have your heater inspected and serviced annually, either at the beginning of the cold season or during warm months. Make sure the technicians change out the furnace filter and check for any blockages, corrosion, leaking connections and proper venting.

John Stevenson Heating and Air Conditioning in Carlsbad will come out to your home and will maintain your heater for you and make sure your family is safe. Call (760) 452-0702 to schedule your maintenance appointment.