When you are running your home’s cooling system, you might have concerns about energy efficiency, AC repair costs, and avoiding breakdowns. Some people have another concern: Can carbon monoxide come from an air conditioner? Carbon monoxide poisoning does not directly come from an air conditioner, but if you have an HVAC system with a furnace, this issue is possible.
Learn more about air conditioner safety and the problems you might encounter when running this appliance.
Air Conditioners Don’t Generate Carbon Monoxide on Their Own
Can carbon monoxide come from an air conditioner without other appliances involved? Because an air conditioner runs on electricity, it cannot generate carbon monoxide by itself.
Carbon monoxide only appears as a gas produced from burning fossil fuels like gasoline, natural gas, or oil. If your HVAC system consists of central air conditioning and a furnace together, it’s possible your gas- or oil-powered furnace could generate carbon monoxide. The air circulation that occurs through the air conditioner and blower fan could then move carbon monoxide throughout the home.
Spreading carbon monoxide through air conditioner operation is a rare problem. However, if your carbon monoxide detector indicates a problem in the home, call an HVAC professional immediately to inspect the air conditioner and furnace.
What Home Appliances Can Create Deadly Carbon Monoxide?
In most homes, HVAC system risks related to carbon monoxide typically originate from the furnace. If you have a furnace that burns natural gas, propane or oil, carbon monoxide can appear as part of the combustion process.
A properly functioning and vented furnace should not increase carbon monoxide levels in your home. However, if the furnace is not running as intended, you could experience problems with this dangerous gas. Malfunctioning parts in a furnace that can lead to carbon monoxide generation include:
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Blocked chimney
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Blocked vent pipe
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Malfunctioning exhaust pipe
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Cracked heat exchanger
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Poor ventilation
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Blocked ductwork
An HVAC technician can repair nearly all these problems. However, homeowners might not know they have a problem until carbon monoxide begins appearing in the home.
Other home appliances that run from fossil fuels and could generate carbon monoxide include:
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Boiler
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Space heater
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Water heater
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Stove
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Laundry dryer
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Fireplace
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Barbecue grill
Lawn mowers, tillers, ATVs and automobiles can also generate carbon monoxide if operated in an enclosed garage.
Air Circulation in a Cooling System Could Spread Carbon Monoxide
Can carbon monoxide come from an air conditioner that’s simply moving air through the duct system? If a malfunctioning furnace releases carbon monoxide into the air, it could collect in areas like crawlspaces and attics. If the HVAC and air conditioning system draw air from these areas through return vents, the carbon monoxide gas will enter the ductwork and move throughout the home.
Cracks in the ductwork inside walls and crawlspaces could also allow carbon monoxide to enter the air circulation system.
Even when the air conditioner is not generating cool air for the home, its blower fan might continue to run. If you have a malfunctioning furnace that is generating carbon monoxide, the blower fan can spread the gas throughout the house.
Why Is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause flu-like symptoms for those exposed to the gas. With exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide or continuous exposure to low levels, you might experience symptoms including:
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Headache
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Dizziness
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Confusion
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Exhaustion
Continued exposure to carbon monoxide can cause victims to lose consciousness. Someone with prolonged exposure could suffer brain damage or death.
Because carbon monoxide has no odor or color, people might not be aware of an exposure until they begin feeling symptoms. If a carbon monoxide exposure happens at night while people are sleeping, they could die in their sleep. Having a carbon monoxide detector that sounds an alarm during a leak or exposure is an important way to protect your family.
It’s important to note that small amounts of carbon monoxide naturally occur in the atmosphere. Small amounts of CO are not harmful to humans, especially outdoors. However, long-term exposure to carbon monoxide inside your home can be harmful for people.
Ways To Reduce Your Risk of Carbon Monoxide Exposure Through Air Conditioner Operation
Can carbon monoxide come from an air conditioner and furnace operation if your HVAC system is old or in poor operating condition? The best way to ensure safe operation of your furnace and air conditioner is to have regular maintenance performed on the system.
HVAC professionals can visit your home each year to inspect your furnace and HVAC equipment. If fuel consumption problems increase the risk of carbon monoxide exposure, the heating and cooling technicians can make repairs. Such work is vital for keeping your family safe.
Paying attention to ventilation issues is another way to prevent exposure to this deadly gas. You may want to occasionally inspect the furnace vent for blockages like bird nests. HVAC technicians can safely perform these inspections for you, as you might have to walk on the roof.
Carbon monoxide detectors are available that you or an HVAC professional can install. These devices provide alerts if the heating system is ever emitting carbon dioxide and the air conditioner is spreading it. CO detectors serve as a valuable first line of defense.
If you have ductwork in a climate-controlled garage, never run vehicles with the garage door closed. The vehicle’s exhaust contains carbon monoxide, and the air circulation system with the air conditioner could spread the deadly gas from the garage throughout the home.
Trust Cooper’s Plumbing & Air To Keep Your HVAC System Running Safely
Can carbon monoxide come from an air conditioner, and should you worry about this problem? Only fossil fuel-burning appliances can generate carbon monoxide but operating the air conditioner while you have a CO leak can spread this deadly gas through the ductwork system.
The best way to ensure excellent indoor air quality and to keep your family safe is through annual air conditioning and HVAC system inspections. Call our experts at Cooper’s Plumbing & Air for an appointment today at (866) 464-7132.