A water heater is essentially part of some houses. It is a must if you do not like to take cold water for a shower in windy or cold weather.
Water Heater Carbon Monoxide
But did you know that a water heater may cause severe injury to you and your family? The most severe injury is that you may suffocate due to the carbon monoxide contained in your body. Below are listed the possibilities of what danger a water heater may pose.
The leak of Carbon Monoxide
As you may know, carbon monoxide differs from carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon monoxide results from incomplete combustion due to the lack of oxygen in the combustion process. The bad news is that even small amounts of it may be deadly if the carbon monoxide runs in your bloodstream. This is because carbon monoxide binds your hemoglobin.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is highly toxic. One common cause of carbon monoxide leaks in residential spaces comes from faulty or improperly maintained combustion appliances, such as water heaters. When a water heater malfunctions or becomes damaged, there is a potential risk of carbon monoxide leaking into living spaces. Factors contributing to this include a disconnected or corroded vent pipe, insufficient combustion air, or a damaged heat exchanger.
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As a result, oxygen does not have a place to be bound by hemoglobin. Hence, the lack of oxygen may cause suffocation. Carbon monoxide leaks are one cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. Although the early symptoms are dizziness or a headache, death may be the final result if the patient cannot get the proper treatment.
The Fire
The fire needed to heat the water also poses a danger if the water heater is not installed properly. If flammable objects are near your water heater, they will cause a fire.
Although the possibility of starting a fire because of the fire used by your water heater is small, it is still best to avoid any risk and to prevent the fire by not placing any flammable object near the water heater.
How to prevent the risk
It is okay if you still want to use a water heater to recognize the danger a water heater may pose. All you have to do is do the necessary prevention. For example, you can call a maintenance worker to help maintain your water heater’s condition.
A well-maintained water heater may reduce the risk of an accident. You may also use a carbon monoxide detector. It helps you know if some carbon monoxide is found in your house so you can ask or call for help.
Personal Experience
As a professional in the field, I’ve encountered numerous cases where homeowners were unaware of the carbon monoxide risks posed by their water heaters. For example, I once assisted a family whose water heater had a blocked vent pipe, causing carbon monoxide to build up in their home.
The family experienced mild symptoms like headaches and dizziness, which they initially attributed to the seasonal flu. Fortunately, a carbon monoxide detector was installed, alerting them to the danger. This incident underscores the importance of regular maintenance and having detectors in place.
Recommended Maintenance Practices
| Maintenance Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Replace the anode rod to extend the tank life | Annually |
| Flush the system to remove sediment build-up | Annually |
| Check for proper venting and gas connections | Annually |
| Replace the anode rod to extend tank life | Every 3-5 years |
| Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors | As needed |
Your family’s safety is important
Ask your family members if a water heater is necessary for your house and present the risks it may pose. By knowing the risks, your family will not do anything reckless that may cause an accident. You can work together to keep the water heater well-maintained.
Despite the risk it may pose, a water heater is still needed for some houses. However, the important thing is that you have recognized the danger of water heater carbon monoxide and plan to prevent it.
