Air Conditioning Systems are Safe But Generators are a Different Story

A few months ago two sisters in Ohio died from carbonmonoxide poisoning. One of the sisters had bought a house and was using a gas generator to run a sump pump. They entered to check on the pump and were overcome and not able to escape. One of them had two small children.

To be honest, I am not normally in favor of manufacturer's warning lablels. I have always believed in personal responsibility, but in this case it gives me pause. The article I read this in didn't say if the generator was old or new, borrowed or purchased. It seems that a large label warning of the dangers of CO poisoning might have stopped this tragedy. If it was purchased at a home improvement warehouse they could have instructed them about proper ventilation to prevent this. 

Please don't operate internal combustion engines such generators, lawnmowers, cars, trucks, motorcycles etc. inside enclosed spaces. As most homes have enclosed carports these days open the door before starting the engine then pull out immediately.

Here in the southeast most homes have central heating & air conditioning. This operates by circulating air through the house to do this the air must be drawn into the blower to disbersed to the rest of the house. This act causes the area around the return air grills to be in a slight negative pressure if this happens to occur in the room connected to the garage then co can and sometimes does enter the house. That is why you should open the garage door.

If you heat your home or your water with anything that uses the combustion process inside your house anywhere keep and maintain a carbon monoxide detector.

I welcome your questions and opinions.

Dwight Collett 

Lakeland Heating & Air 

"Your Air Conditioning and Heating Co. in Cumming, Roswell, Buford, Suwanee, Alpharetta, Canton, Johns Creek, Milton & Atlanta Georgia" 

 

Call us today for your no obligation quote at  770-886-7057.