Carbon Monoxide Testing

What is carbon monoxide (CO)?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. Breathing in high concentrations of CO for an extended period of time will kill you.

What creates CO?

CO is created anytime something is burned. Natural gas in a furnace, water heater, stove or boiler. A fire in a gas or wood burning fireplace and car exhaust.

Test Locations

We can test CO levels in several locations relevant to your safety. Locations include:

  1. Ambient air in the home
  2. Air coming out of the furnace ductwork
  3. Furnace flue (some types of furnaces)
  4. Water heater flue
  5. Gas fireplaces
  6. Gas stove burners
  7. Gas oven vent

Testing Options

  1. Base level test (includes testing CO levels in areas 1-4 above)
  2.  Additional devices (Gas fireplace, stove, oven) can be tested for an additional charge.)

For pricing on the base level test and additional devices please see our pricing page.

CO Detectors Are Required

In December of 2008 a family of 4 were found dead in a vacation home in Aspen, Colorado. The cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. As a result Colorado passed a law requiring all new homes and any home being sold to have CO detectors installed.

These devices should be considered a last line of defense against carbon monoxide poisoning. The first line of defense should be regular maintenance of fuel burning appliances. While yearly maintenance is recommended by all furnace manufacturers, this maintenance is often not done.

Why Have Abacus Inspection Test

Carbon monoxide detectors in your home are a must. However, they should be thought of as a last line of defense. Wouldn't you want to know whether the CO producing appliances in your home are producing dangerous levels of CO and whether they are exhausting that CO out of your home properly? Wouldn't you want to do preemptive testing instead of finding yourself outside on a cold winter night because your CO alarm went off while you are sleeping? Know before the alarm blows!