In the colder months, it's crucial to ensure your natural gas or propane heating system is venting carbon monoxide and burned gases safely outside. Carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that is colorless, tasteless, and odorless, can pose serious risks if not properly ventilated.
To safeguard your family, it's recommended to have a licensed air conditioning and heating contractor evaluate your system each Fall. This preventive measure ensures that potential issues are detected and resolved before they escalate, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide leaks into your living space.
If your home isn't already equipped with combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, it's essential to install them promptly, especially before the arrival of cold weather. These detectors should be strategically placed outside all sleeping areas in residences heated with natural gas or propane. Early detection is key, as carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can initially manifest as a dull headache, weakness, and dizziness. In more severe cases, it can lead to nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, and even death.
“Checking whether your contractor is licensed, and the technician servicing your equipment is registered with the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR), is an important step in protecting yourself from shoddy and dangerous work,” said William Weatherly, TDLR Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Program Chief. “Licensed contractors and registered technicians have undergone a criminal background check and have had the required training. Licensed contractors have passed a comprehensive exam and complete yearly continuing education classes.”
The first step in hiring an air conditioning and heating contractor should be checking the TDLR website (www.tdlr.texas.gov) to make sure that they are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Once you’ve confirmed that the contractor is licensed through TDLR, here are several things they should be inspecting in your heating system:
- Air Handler & Furnace (Natural Gas, Propane)
- Check gas connection for leaks. Improperly operating gas connections are a fire hazard and a health concern.
- Check gas pressure and proper burner combustion. Improper gas pressure and/or a dirty burner will cause equipment to operate less efficiently.
- Check the heat exchanger for cracks and a proper flue connection. A cracked heat exchanger or Improper flue connection can leak deadly carbon monoxide into the living spaces.
- All Systems
- Check incoming power and tighten connections as necessary.
- Check thermostat and system controls for proper operation and sequence.
- Check air handling unit for proper air flow.
- Heat Pump & Electric Heat Systems
- Check heat pump heating cycle and reversing valve operation.
- Check “emergency heat” operation, which is energized if heat pump fails or is in defrost cycle.
- Check electric heat strips for proper operation when system is energized.
- General
- Listen for abnormal noise and search for source of unusual odors.
- Clean and inspect blower assembly.
- Older units: lubricate motor and replace fan belt if applicable.
- Replace filters and educate customer on efficient operation
About TDLR
TDLR provides regulatory oversight for a broad range of occupations, businesses, facilities, and equipment in Texas. The agency protects the health and safety of Texans by ensuring they are served by qualified, licensed professionals. Inspections of individuals, businesses, and equipment are done on a regular basis to safeguard the public. Currently, the agency regulates 38 business and occupational licensing programs with almost 1,000,000 licensees across the state.
