The Only Way To Test Gas Furnaces For Safety: Combustion Analysis

Getting a heating system tune-up makes sense for many reasons. For example, you’ll make sure your system is working at peak efficiency, lower your utility bills, help avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your system.

However, there is one key element of a heating tune-up that means the most for your family’s safety: Combustion Analysis.

What is Combustion Analysis?

Combustion Analysis is a careful test of the heat exchanger in your furnace to ensure it’s working properly. In fact, it’s the only test that will truly identify safe operation. While most companies perform a visual inspection, it will not uncover hairline cracks, which can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

Hairline cracks become a problem when the gas is burning, and the crack becomes larger in the heat. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon based fuels.

All of our technicians are equipped with a combustion analyzer, the tool that’s carefully inserted into the flue pipe of your gas heating appliance.  Readings on the device will indicate whether there is proper combustion and that all levels are within safe limits.

Here is what a Combustion Analyzer looks like:

If another company is performing your tune-up, this is what you should look for when they are testing your system. Or simply ask if they use a combustion analyzer.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms & Monitors

You might think to yourself, “But I have a carbon monoxide alarm in my home, we’ll be ok.”

Most people think a carbon monoxide alarm is all they need to ensure their safety. However, all UL listed alarms will only react to readings above 70 parts per million.

While zero carbon monoxide is preferred, 70PPM is considered unsafe for infants, young children and the elderly. At that level or just below, you can already be experiencing symptoms like headache, dizziness and fatigue.

First, it’s better to make sure there are no leaks to begin with, which is why we perform the combustion analysis.

A better option is a carbon monoxide monitor, a device typically used in boats and other marine vehicles that have engines that produce carbon monoxide. These sensitive monitors will notify you of any carbon monoxide levels of 5PPM or more.

You won’t find these useful devices at home stores, but we carry them in stock at all times. My technicians will pinpoint the perfect spot in your home for safe monitoring if a leak ever occurs from any gas appliance or other source in your home.

Next Steps

Whether you use my company or any other HVAC company, please be sure to get a heating tune-up and ask whether a combustion analysis has been properly done on your system.

Since there is no industry standard on the words “tune-up,” “maintenance” or “safety check”, you will always want to make sure that combustion analysis is included no matter which company you choose.

Schedule Today & Save

If you’d like one of my experienced technicians to perform a 21-point Complete Precision Tune-up on your system, please call us at 770-271-7511 or schedule here.

It’s a great time to schedule, as this full tune-up will only be $68 for a limited time, a $40 savings over the normal price of $108.

If you’re a member of our Comfort Club, you already enjoy these twice annual tune-ups along with major discounts and priority scheduling.

Again, no matter which company you choose, please have a combustion analysis performed. It will give you great peace of mind as you safely warm your family this winter!

– Matthew

 

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