Combustion Chamber: How It Can Keep You Safe & How To Know When A Repair Is Needed

Did you know that a water heater can harm your health if it begins to malfunction? When you are running the heating and cooling system, complete combustion must take place or you are at risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Learn how the combustion chamber to a water heater can keep you safe if it is in a good condition and how to know when it needs a repair.

How Can a Combustion Chamber Keep Someone Safe?

A combustion chamber is a safety feature that is connected to a water heater that can prevent carbon monoxide from entering your home. Each time you are running the heater, the pilot flame must undergo complete combustion to prevent the production of carbon monoxide. Complete combustion leads to gas in the pilot producing carbon dioxide for heating your home. The combustion chamber is able to route carbon monoxide to the exterior of your house by way of a blower.

You can make sure complete combustion takes place by keeping a sufficient amount of air flowing around the water heater. The reason air is needed is due to the oxygen it has, which is vital for complete combustion. There must also be a good source of ventilation in the water heater area. Problems with the combustion chamber should be considered an emergency repair because inhaling carbon monoxide can be fatal.

How Can it be Known When the Combustion Chamber Needs a Repair?

If there is a sudden carbon monoxide leak in your home, it may be due to the combustion chamber needing a repair. The worst thing about carbon monoxide leaks is that you won't know about it unless you have a detector in your home. Carbon monoxide can leak unnoticed because there are no odors associated with it. You may only be able to detect a leak by experiencing symptoms of dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, which requires prompt medical attention.

You must get a heating and cooling specialist to your home to inspect the combustion chamber as soon as possible if you suspect a problem. The chamber may be cracked and allowing carbon monoxide to leak. There may also be a dirt clog in the chamber, preventing carbon monoxide from exiting your home.

Keep your water heater safe by make sure it is able to complete combustion so carbon monoxide can be avoided. Hire a heating and cooling specialist-- like one from Fred's Plumbing & Heating-- to inspect the combustion chamber on occasion in case it is damaged!

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