When heat exchangers rust, they become brittle.

How can I avoid a dangerous carbon monoxide situation with my furnace?Ĭarbon monoxide can become a problem if your furnace develops cracks in the heat exchanger. Instead, the flue gases exit your home through a flue pipe, where they can disperse outdoors. It transfers that heat to your indoor air, all the while preventing the bad flue gases from mixing with your indoor air. As your furnace burns fuel, the heat exchanger gets hot. The heat exchanger is a metallic wall or metal tubing, depending on your furnace model. Your breathing air and the toxic flue gases made by your furnace are separated by your furnace’s heat exchanger. When everything is functioning properly in your furnace, the carbon monoxide it creates never enters the air circulating through your home. Where does the carbon monoxide in my furnace go? Electric furnaces do not create carbon monoxide. Therefore, if your furnace uses natural gas, propane, or oil to make heat, your furnace creates carbon monoxide. This is the same for any appliance in your home that burns fuel, such as a gas range. Does my furnace produce carbon monoxide?Īny furnace that burns fuel produces carbon monoxide as a byproduct. But while all furnaces have the same essential task, not all furnaces produce the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide.īelow, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions we get from customers about furnaces and carbon monoxide so that you can avoid health and safety issues.

Different furnace types will use various fuels (like natural gas, oil, propane, or electricity) to create heat and warm up your home. homeowners, your home’s heating system includes a unit called a furnace.

Carbon monoxide from furnace