Don’t Mess with CO

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As I mentioned on WERU’s Common Health show this week, home performance is about a lot more than comfort and energy savings. Those things are important, of course, but they aren’t worth a thing if your home isn’t safe and healthy.

The biggest health issues we see are poor indoor air quality and unsafe levels of carbon monoxide.  CO is pretty scary stuff, both because it can be lethal and because there’s such a lack of understanding about it. (I’m looking at you, folks who unplugged the CO monitor because it wouldn’t stop beeping). Let’s start at the beginning:

What is carbon monoxide?
CO is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas.
CO makes you sick by preventing your body from absorbing oxygen.
CO accumulates in your body over time, so even low levels can be dangerous.

Where does CO come from?
Anyplace there’s a flame, there’s a chance carbon monoxide (CO) is being produced.  Whether your central heating system, gas stovetop or oven, woodstove, gas hot water heater – these appliances create heat through combustion – and CO is a dangerous by-product of that process.

What are the effects of carbon monoxide?
Symptoms of CO poisoning range from flu-like symptoms – headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, and fatigue – to impaired vision and brain function, to death.  Reactions vary greatly from person to person, but children, pregnant women, and the elderly are at the greatest risk.

When it comes to CO, how much is too much?
Carbon monoxide levels are measured in ppm, or parts per million. Because CO accumulates in your body, health affects vary according to levels and length of exposure as well as the age and health of the person, and it’s hard to say absolutely what is safe. Most research and regulations focus on acute exposure, and everyone agrees that concentrations above 100-200 ppm are immediately dangerous. There’s less consensus about lower CO levels, but some studies show that chronic exposure to levels as low as 5 ppm may cause permanent mental or physical problems.

How can you monitor carbon monoxide levels?
Every home should have carbon monoxide detectors correctly positioned (unobstructed and high) on each floor and in each sleeping area.  Readily available, relatively low-cost, UL-listed CO monitors are designed to alert homeowners to high levels:

  • 30 ppm for up to 30 days
  • 70 ppm for up to 4 hours
  • 150 ppm for up to 50 minutes
  • 400 ppm for up to 15 minutes

These levels are higher than those allowed by OSHA and would even allowyou to breathe air with 358 ppm for 45 minutes without an alarm!

That’s why we recommend low-level CO monitors, which are more precise, expensive instruments designed to protect against chronic, low level CO poisoning. The CO Experts model has six audio/visual alarm levels ranging from 10 ppm to 100 ppm. Recommended actions for each alarm level vary from calling your HVAC service provider to evacuating immediately and calling 911.

Contact us today to learn more!

207-594-2244

Highly recommended. Our heating usage is now less than half what it was before we had our roof insulated. Evergreen was knowledgeable, friendly, and left no trace they were ever in our house. Not only is our heating bill much lower now, but our home is generally more comfortable year-round with less temperature fluctuations. Money well spent.

RC Lations

From start to finish, our experience was incredible. Justin was extremely helpful. The crew was fast, friendly, and efficient. And most importantly, our home is WAY warmer and our heating is less costly. I'd highly recommend evergreen to anyone looking to upgrade their home!

John S.

South Portland

Great company. Very professional and thorough. They take the time to explain everything and offer options to fit your budget. Wonderful experience from start to finish.

Bonnie Eustace

We are thrilled with the job Evergreen did to transform our 213 year old home into a warm, draft-free, cozy space. The entire team led by Bruce was prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, and hard working. If Evergreen could transform our home in this way, we are sure they would make a comparable difference in YOUR home!

Jonathan M.

Bridgton

They were highly recommended. I found them to be very knowledgeable and so helpful, with practical ideas. Despite my not living within their service area, they were generous with their knowledge, describing the usual solutions to correct leaks in my basement, and what the result is likely to be by following path A, B or C, and why. I was discouraged. Talking with Evergreen helped me see that my basement problems are far from insurmountable and really, fairly common in 100-year old homes. There are proven solutions.

Rosalind J

Damariscotta

We needed basement encapsulation to stop moisture coming up into the house from our regularly flooding basement. We had mold growing on windowsills and furniture. All the staff were friendly, respectful of our home, and easy to work with. Humidity has gone from 70% down to 40% and mold has not grown back after two months. Very grateful.

Sarah C.

Belfast

I cant say enough about this company and the benefits that it created for our family. They are very professional and have effectively re-insulated our home. The heating bill proves the point.

Bob O.

Springvale

Thanks Evergreen Home Performance for helping to make our home more efficient. Many thanks as well to Bryan for the initial walk through and recommendations to make our home more efficient and to Dave, Roland, and Jacob for a job that was done professionally and courteous.  We were amazed at the level of efficiency and everyday they made sure to protect our floors, carpets, and furniture. We had daily discussions with Dave about progress and what was being done and where they were at in the project.

Carol Fink

The Evergreen crew who installed insulation in my attic were fantastic! They were very professional, worked exceedingly hard, and they did an excellent job. They were very pleasant and friendly to be around. They cleaned up beautifully after each work day, and left my home in great shape on when they walked out the door for the last time. I can't believe they were able to accomplish all that they did with heat soaring into the 80s and 90s. It was pretty unbearable up there! They have my highest praise and my gratitude.

Cynthia F.

South Portland

I made the mistake of NOT hiring this company last year when I bought and renovated my home. I have brought them in now and what a difference. This group knows what they are doing. They take a complete look at everything and believe they can make your home more energy efficient. They are very professional in the way they approach problems and solutions. And they find ways to save me money. Don't bother with anyone else. Bring Evergreen in before you do anything. Let them assess your issues and give you the right solutions.

Shaw

Owls Head

Update 12/2018: Evergreen has completed Phase II of my house (insulating and installing air/moisture barrier on exterior walls, replacing old windows) and now that heating season is upon us, the difference is astonishing. The house is tight as a drum and so easy to keep warm. Worth every penny. Thank you all! Working with Evergreen was a positive experience from start (no charge energy audit) to finish (a MUCH more comfortable home). Brian Robinson spent a lot of time with me on the audit, explaining clearly what he was finding in my ca.

Rebekah W.

Rockport

Evergreen has a professional and reliable team of people who do excellent work. If you want the best of the best in the area, select Evergreen to accomplish your insulation needs.

Mary E.

St. George

We had Evergreen Home Performance of Rockland come in to make our home more energy efficient, and what a TOP notch crew. Brian and his crew did an amazing job from start to finish. Very knowledgeable and professional. We would Definitely highly recommend this crew to anyone who is looking for energy efficiency in their home with a company that truly is an expert and knows how to do a quality job and truly cares about their customer.

Melissa S.

Owls Head

A thorough inspection of our (older) house and its energy needs. Competent and personable work crew.

Jacob Watson

We just finished a large project air sealing and reinsulating our 1890s basement and attic. It had been completely renovated 8 years ago, but still felt cold, and lacked proper energy assessment and corrections. We met with Justin in December and were very impressed with his knowledge, professionalism and communication skills and knew Evergreen was who we wanted to work with. Dave was our on hands project manager and was excellent. The office staff has been quick to respond and helpful as well when needed.

E Gallant

Kennebunk

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