Carbon Monoxide: You Can’t See It or Smell It
Carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless and colorless — you can’t see it or smell it. That’s what makes it so dangerous. It can build up in a home when a furnace isn’t burning or venting the way it should.
- Heat exchanger evaluation
- CO test, especially on older furnaces
- $180 or $240, by furnace
- Call or text any time
If your CO alarm sounds, get out and call 911 / fire / gas emergency from outside — do NOT book that online.
$180 books the check; if access-panel work is needed it will be quoted on site, generally $240 total. Appointments are Monday to Friday at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 1:00 PM Eastern.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide Sickness
Watch For These Signs
Watch for headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, or confusion, or flu-like symptoms that don’t have another clear cause. If several people or pets in the home feel sick at the same time, and feel better when away from home, suspect carbon monoxide.
Headache
Headache is a sign to watch for, especially with flu-like symptoms that don’t have another clear cause.
Dizziness
Dizziness is a sign to watch for, especially with flu-like symptoms that don’t have another clear cause.
Nausea
Nausea is a sign to watch for, especially with flu-like symptoms that don’t have another clear cause.
Tiredness
Tiredness is a sign to watch for, especially with flu-like symptoms that don’t have another clear cause.
Confusion
Confusion is a sign to watch for, especially with flu-like symptoms that don’t have another clear cause.
Flu-like symptoms
Flu-like symptoms that don’t have another clear cause are a sign to watch for — especially if several people or pets in the home feel sick at the same time, and feel better when away from home.
The Heat Exchanger — Why It Matters
A Cracked Heat Exchanger Is Not Something To Run a Furnace Through
The heat exchanger is the metal barrier that keeps combustion gases separate from the air blown into your home. If it cracks, carbon monoxide can leak into the living space. Checking heat exchanger integrity is critically important and widely overlooked — a cracked heat exchanger is not something to run a furnace through.
A heat exchanger evaluation or carbon monoxide test is critically important – especially on older furnaces. Call or text today to have yours checked out for a peace of mind.
If Your Alarm Sounds
Get Out, Then Call 911
Get out of the house, then call 911, the fire department, or your gas utility’s emergency line from outside. Do not go back inside until it has been cleared.
Schedule a Call to Have It Checked
Schedule a Carbon Monoxide / Heat Exchanger Check
A heat exchanger evaluation or carbon monoxide test is critically important – especially on older furnaces. Call or text today to have yours checked out for a peace of mind.
The price to have it checked is either $180 or $240. The price varies by furnace. For example, if there is already an access panel to view the heat exchanger, it’s the base minimum price. If it’s an older furnace, we may need to make an access panel in the plenum to view or inspect it and for system with central air, that can also be a problem to inspect the heat exchanger and make it more difficult.
Pick a time below and pay $180 to confirm it. The $180 service call includes travel, diagnosis, and the first hour, including a minor repair requiring no parts that can be completed in 15 minutes or less. Anything beyond that will be quoted at a flat-rate total price before work begins. There is no card fee on this amount.
$180 books the check; if access-panel work is needed it will be quoted on site, generally $240 total.
Your time is held for 60 minutes while you complete payment; if payment is not made within 60 minutes, the hold expires and the time opens up again.
Appointments are Monday to Friday at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 1:00 PM Eastern, at least 24 hours ahead, one booking per time slot.
9:00 AM11:00 AM1:00 PM
Cancel/reschedule by call or text (616) 243-1914: cancel at least 3 hours before for a full refund, inside 3 hours a $25 fee ($155 back on $180). If we drive out and you do not answer, you can still reschedule, but trip time comes off your hour.
If your CO alarm sounds, get out and call 911 / fire / gas emergency from outside — do NOT book that online.
Don’t wait and don’t take your chances with a questionable, or potentially dangerous heat exchanger or risk carbon monoxide leakage, call or text (616) 243-1914 any time to set up an appointment right away.
Service Area
Serving Grand Rapids & West Michigan
A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning offers 24-hour emergency service in the West Michigan and surrounding areas focusing on Kent County.
There’s an entire chapter dedicated to heat exchangers and carbon monoxide risks in my book “High Efficiency Gas Furnace Fixes: No Technician Needed!” If you’re a do-it-yourself type person, this book is a must read for the things you need to know about servicing your furnace and understanding safety concerns.
To get started, call or text (616) 243-1914 any time or use the form to book your appointment.
FAQ
Carbon Monoxide Questions
How much is a CO / heat exchanger check?
The price to have it checked is either $180 or $240. The price varies by furnace. For example, if there is already an access panel to view the heat exchanger, it’s the base minimum price. If it’s an older furnace, we may need to make an access panel in the plenum to view or inspect it and for system with central air, that can also be a problem to inspect the heat exchanger and make it more difficult. $180 books the check; if access-panel work is needed it will be quoted on site, generally $240 total.
What are the signs of carbon monoxide sickness?
Watch for headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, or confusion, or flu-like symptoms that don’t have another clear cause. If several people or pets in the home feel sick at the same time, and feel better when away from home, suspect carbon monoxide.
Why does the heat exchanger matter?
The heat exchanger is the metal barrier that keeps combustion gases separate from the air blown into your home. If it cracks, carbon monoxide can leak into the living space. Checking heat exchanger integrity is critically important and widely overlooked — a cracked heat exchanger is not something to run a furnace through.
What should I do if my CO alarm sounds?
Get out of the house, then call 911, the fire department, or your gas utility’s emergency line from outside. Do not go back inside until it has been cleared. Do NOT book that online.
What times are available, and how do I cancel?
Appointments are Monday to Friday at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 1:00 PM Eastern, at least 24 hours ahead, one booking per time slot. Cancel/reschedule by call or text (616) 243-1914: cancel at least 3 hours before for a full refund, inside 3 hours a $25 fee ($155 back on $180). If we drive out and you do not answer, you can still reschedule, but trip time comes off your hour.
Don’t Wait — Get It Checked
Don’t wait and don’t take your chances with a questionable, or potentially dangerous heat exchanger or risk carbon monoxide leakage, call or text (616) 243-1914 any time to set up an appointment right away.
A-1 Heating & Air Conditioning — Grand Rapids, Michigan — Call or text (616) 243-1914
Carbon Monoxide Safety