Carbon Monoxide and Gas Leaks: Monitor, Detector and Flame Checks

Carbon monoxide comes from incomplete combustion. You can’t see it or smell it, and even low levels over time can harm children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions. That’s why a low-level CO monitor with a display should be on you whenever you work on combustion equipment. Glance at it while the system runs, and make sure the reading stays at 0 or 1 and isn’t climbing. We also explain why standard household CO alarms stay quiet until levels are much higher, and why we recommend a low-level monitor for any home with combustion appliances.

Gas leaks are a separate hazard. Unburned gas that builds up can lead to fire or an explosion. When a customer smells gas, don’t just shrug and leave. Use a combustible gas leak detector and check every combustion appliance in the house. The same care applies to testing and adjusting gas pressure, because a test port left open on the gas valve is a leak you created yourself.

Finally, we cover the visual checks that prevent most combustion problems: watching the burner flame for a mostly blue flame running straight down the burners, spotting orange flame or flame rollout from burner misalignment, finding disconnected flues, and recognizing a furnace closed into a closet without enough combustion air.

In this video:

• Carbon monoxide vs. gas leaks and why they’re different dangers
• Why techs need a low-level CO monitor with a display
• What reading to expect and when to worry
• Why household CO alarms don’t sound at low levels
• Using a combustible gas leak detector when a customer smells gas
• Gas pressure testing and not leaving test ports open
• Burner flame checks, flue inspection, and combustion air

Take gas seriously, carry the right tools, and use your eyes. Those habits prevent nearly every carbon monoxide and gas leak problem in the field.