It’s so easy … so automatic … that people jus,,, about it. Every years, when the weather turns owners reach for household thermostats, flit turn on the heat and set the temperature to 68 Little thought is given to whether the furnace tem – the chimney and connector pipe – is reach,,, safe, effective service.

Consumer confidences in the convenience a today’s home heating systems is usually wel oil and gas heating industries have achieved safety records. Nonetheless, over 200 people act are known to die each year from carbon mono,, caused by problems in the venting – out of their h,,, gases produced by their heating systems. This is statistics compiled by the U.S. Consumer Pr Commission. Other agencies estimate actual between 2,000 and 4,000.

In addition, around 10,000 cases of carbon no,,, “injuries” are diagnosed each year. Because the prolonged, low-level carbon monoxide poison the symptoms of common winter ailments(he,,, sea, dizziness, fatigue, and even seasonal many cases are not detected until permanent age to the brain, heart and other organs and occurred. The difficulty of diagnosis also me bers of people affected may be even higher.

Fortunately, regular chimney system inspection an ,,, can prevent poisoning incidents like these.

What Carbon Monoxide Does to You

Too much carbon monoxide in your blood most of us know to try to avoid this. Less well fact that low-level exposure to this gas also en,,, health.

One of the truths of our human bodies is that,: between carbon monoxide and oxygen, the P,, globin in our blood will always latch on to ca,,, idea and ignore the life-giving oxygen. Because real chemical affinity, our bodies – in effect- r,,, with carbon monoxide in our bloodstream, c,,, or lesser levels of cell suffocation depending ,,,sty and duration of exposure.

The side-effects that can result from this low-l include permanent organ and brain damage the elderly are more susceptible than healthy those with anemia or heart disease.

It’s so easy… so automatic … that people just don’t think about it. Every year, when the weather turns cold, home-owners reach for household thermostats, flip a switch to turn on heat and set the temperature to 68 or 70 degrees. Little thought is given to whether the furnace exhaust system – the chimney and connector pipe – is ready to provide safe, effective service.

Consumer confidence in the convenience and safety of today’s home heating systems is usually well-placed. The oil and gas heating industries have achieved impressive safety records. Nonetheless, over 200 people across the nation are known to die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by problems in the venting – out of their homes – of toxic gases produced by their heating systems. This is according to statistics compiled  by  the U.S Consumer product Safety Commission. Other agencies estimate actual numbers at between 2,000 and 4,000.

In addition, around 10,000 cases of carbon monoxide- related “injuries” are diagnosed each year. Because the symptoms of prolonged, low-level carbon monoxide poisoning “mimic” the symptoms of common winter ailments (headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and even seasonal depression), many cases are not detected until permanent, subtle dam-age to the brain, heart and other organs and tissues has occurred. The difficulty of diagnosis also means the numbers of people affected may be even higher.

Fortunately, regular chimney system inspection and maintenance can prevent poisoning incidents like these.

What Carbon Monoxide Does to You
Too much carbon monoxide in your blood will kill you. Most of us know to try to avoid this. Less well known is the fact that low-level exposure to this gas also endangers your health.

One of the truths of our human bodies is that , given a choice between carbon monoxide and oxygen, the protein hemoglobin  in our blood will always latch on to carbon monoxide and ignore the life-giving oxygen. Because of this natural chemical affinity, our bodies – in effect – replace oxygen with carbon monoxide in our bloodstream, causing greater or lesser levels of cell suffocation depending on the intensity and duration of exposure.

The side-effects that can result from this low-level exposure include permanent organ and brain damage. Infants and the elderly are more susceptible than healthy adults, as are those with anemia or heart disease.

The symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning are so easily mistaken for those of the common cold, flu or exhaustion, that proper diagnosis can be delayed. Because of this, be sure to see you physician about persistent, flu like symptoms, chronic
fatigue or generalized depression. If blood levels of carbon monoxide are found to be high, treatment
is important.

Meanwhile, it makes good sense to put heating system inspection and maintenance on your
annual get-ready-for winter list. Prevention is the best cure.

Causes of Heating System Problems
Why is poisoning from carbon monoxide on the rise? And why does it stem primarily from home
heating systems that – at first glance – seem the same as those that have been used safely
for years?






Today’s houses are more air-tight. Homeowners are ware of the cost of heating drafty homes
and have Taken steps to seal up windows,doors and other areas of air infiltration.
Consequently, there is less fresh air coming into a home and not as many pathwaysfor stale
or polluted air to leave it. And, when furnaces and boilers are starved of the oxygen needed
to burn fuels completely,carbon monoxide is produced.

Manufacturers have designed news, high-technology heating appliances whose greater efficiency helps us save money, conserve natural resources and decrease environmental pollution. However, the new breed of high-efficiency gas and oil furnaces – when hooked up

To existing chimney flues – often does not perform at an optimum level. The differences in performance create conditions that allow toxic gases lot more easily enters home living spaces.

The above conditions point out a number of older, on going problems that still require detection and correction in order to prevent toxic gases from filtering into the house. These include damaged or deteriorating flue liners, soot build-up, debris clogging the passageway, and animal or bird nests obstructing chimney flues.

Caring for your Chimneys & Flues
When gas and oil burn in vented heating systems – in order to produce household heat – the dangerous fumes that are by- products of combustion range from soot (particulate matter) to nitrogen dioxide (also toxic) to acidic water vapors formed when moisture condenses. None of these pollutants should be allowed to leak from the chimney into your living space.

In addition to carrying off toxic gases, chimneys also create the draft (flow of air) that provides the proper air and fuel mixture for efficient operation of the heating appliance – whether a furnace or boiler. Unfortunately, many chimneys in daily use in homes throughout the country either are improperly sized or have conditions that make them unable to perform their intended function.

Chimney Problems to Avoid
Oil and gas furnaces have distinct burning characteristics and produce different combustion be-products. However, the chimneys and connector pipes that serve them share common problems. Both systems are subject to weathering, animal invasions, deterioration and rust-out and the accumulation of nest materials and debris. Both require regular care and maintenance.

Oil. Oil flues need to be cleaned and inspected annually because deposits of soot may build up on the interior wall
of the chimney liner. The amount of soot depends on how well-tuned the furnace is and whether the house
provides sufficient air for combustion. Excessive soot causes problems that range from chimney fires … to
flue deterioration … to chimney blockages that direct toxic fumes back into the house and cause inefficient
furnace operation. See the brochure from the CSIA specifically relating to oil-burning appliances.

Gas. Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, but today ciency gas furnaces pose a special problem. The produce
are cooler and contain high levels of which are more likely to cause condensation t confusion than,,, ells. Since
these vapors also contain chlorides pi, house-supplied air, the flues and more corrosive than before. Even
worse, appliances told, nays that once furnaces. If t,,, these chimneys terra cotta (a if, manly used in struction),
bits them slowly fl,,, corrosive con combination o,,, gas vapors aver,,, with old oil speeds this ,,, debris that
ca,,, chimney build,,, bottom of the f,,,. To the extent that problems with either of these teems  interfere with the flow
of toxic gases and p,,, the house, they may also force carbon monoxide possibly soot into the living spaces of
your hon. cause a one-time, high-level exposure situation smaller amounts more regularly over a longer
problems should never be ignored.

Preventing Problems 
In the United States, numerous agencies and now recognize the importance of annual he, inspection and maintenance in preventing crab, poisoning. The U.S. Consumer product Safety the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Protection Association, and the American Lung are some of the organizations that now encourage, maintenance of home heating systems and their order to keep “the silent killer” at bay.

A well-tuned furnace or boiler – connected to tem or flue that is correctly-sized, structurally.

, nag chimney flues – often does not per form at an, m level. The differences in performance create, ns that allow toxic gases to more easily enter, vying spaces.

,,,vet conditions point out a number of older, on-problems that still require detection and correct-,,,order to prevent toxic gases from filtering into se. These include damaged or deteriorating flue out build-up, debris clogging the passageway, mal or bird nests obstructing chimney flues.

Your Chimneys & Flues
,,d oil burn in vented heating systems - in order ,,,household heat – the dangerous fumes that are of combustion range from soot (particulate ,,,nitrogen dioxide (also Toxic) to acidic water ,,,ed when moisture condenses. None of these could be allowed to leak from the chimney into space.

,,,o carrying of toxic gases, chimneys also create ,,,w of air) that provides the proper air and fuel efficient operation of the heating appliance – mace or boiler.  Unfortunately, many chimneys in homes throughout the country either are sized or have conditions that make them unable heir intended function.

Problems to Avoid

Furnaces have distinct burning characteristics different combustion by-products. However, s and connector pipes that serve them share problems. Both systems are subject to weathering, scions, deterioration and rust-out and the ace-nest materials and debris.
Both require regular intendance.

S need to be cleaned and inspected annually posits of soot may build up on the interior wall, eye liner. The amount
of soot depends on how his furnace is and whether the house provides for combustion. Excessive soot
causes probe- , go from chimney fires … to flue deterioration, eye blockages that direct toxic fumes back into
,,,d cause inefficient furnace operation. See the m the CSIA specifically relating to oil-burning Gas. Natural gas is
a clean-burning fuel, but today’s high-efficiency gas furnaces pose a special problem. The fumes they produce
are cooler and contain high levels of water vapor, which are more likely to cause condensation than older
models. Since these vapors also contain chlorides packed up from house-supplied combustion air, the flues
are subjected to more corrosive conditions than before.

Even worse, many gas appliances today use chimneys that once served oil furnaces. If the liners of these
chimneys are made of terra cotta (a fired clay commonly used in chimney construction), bits and pieces of
  them slowly flake off  under corrosive conditions. The combination of water-laden gas vapors available to mix
with old oil soot deposits speeds this process and debris that can block the chimney builds up at the bottom of
the flue. To the extent that problems with either of those heating sys- teems interfere with the flow of toxic gases
and particles out of the house, they may also force carbon monoxide, fumes and possibly soot into the living
spaces of your home. They may cause a one-time, high-level exposure situation or release smaller amounts more regularly over a longer period. These problems should never be ignored.

Preventing Problems
In the United States, numerous agencies and organizations now recognize the importance of annual heating system inspection and maintenance in preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Fire Protection Association, and the American Lung Association - are some of the organizations that now encourage the regular maintenance of home heating systems and their chimneys in order to keep “the silent killer” at bay.

 A well-tuned furnace or boiler – connected to a venting system or flue that is correctly-sized, structurally
sound, clean sound, clean and free of blockages – will operate efficiently and produce a warm and
comfortable home. An overlooked heating system can produce death and heartbreak.

Considering the risks involved when gas or oil systems are neglected and the benefits that accrue when they
are properly maintained you would do well to have your chimneys checked annually be a CSIA Certified
Chimney Sweep® … and cleaned. This can deep illness or death from carbon monoxide poisoning from
claiming you or those you love.

The chimney Safety institute of America (CSIA) is a non-profit educational foundation that has established the
only nationally recognized certification and accreditation program for chimney sweeps in the United States.
The program was developed in keeping with the CSIA’s commitment to the
safety of chimney and venting systems and to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon
monoxide intrusion and other chimney and vent-related safety hazards. The CSIA devotes its resources
to education the public, chimney service professionals and other ire prevention specialists, and the
insurance industry about the prevention and correction of chimney service professionals and other
fire prevention specialists, and the insurance industry about the prevention and correction of
chimney and venting system hazards. For additional information, please contact:

Chimney Safety Institute of America
2155 Commercial Drive
Plainfield, IN 46168
(317)837-5362
email: office@csia.org
Website: www.csia.or