Carbon Monoxide Testing Services
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and potentially fatal. It is produced by combustion appliances including furnaces, boilers, water heaters, gas ranges, and fireplaces. When those appliances malfunction or are poorly ventilated, CO can accumulate to dangerous levels inside the home.York Home Performance performs combustion safety testing including carbon monoxide analysis as a standard part of every BPI-certified home energy audit across Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Why Carbon Monoxide Testing Is Part of Every Audit
Home performance work, particularly air sealing, changes the pressure dynamics inside a home. When a home is tightened, combustion appliances that were previously drafting adequately can begin to backdraft, pulling combustion gases including CO back into the living space instead of venting them outside.
This is why BPI protocol requires combustion safety testing before and after any air sealing work. A contractor who air seals your home without testing combustion appliances is not following professional protocol and may be creating a CO hazard in the process.
Even without air sealing work, CO testing identifies appliances that are already malfunctioning and creating CO exposure risk that homeowners may not be aware of. Professional testing measures CO concentrations directly at the appliance, catching problems at far lower levels than residential detectors are designed to trigger.
What We Test During a Carbon Monoxide Inspection
Furnaces and Boilers
We test flue gas spillage and measure CO concentrations in the combustion air supply and flue gas. Elevated CO indicates incomplete combustion. Spillage indicates combustion gases are entering the living space rather than venting outside.
Water Heaters
Gas water heaters are a common source of CO exposure. We test the flue for spillage and measure CO concentrations as part of every combustion safety assessment.
Gas Ranges and Ovens
Gas cooking appliances can produce significant CO when burners are dirty or misadjusted. We check CO levels in the kitchen as part of a complete assessment.
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
Solid fuel appliances are assessed for proper drafting and inspected for signs of combustion gas spillage.
Schedule Carbon Monoxide Testing
CO testing is included in every home energy audit we perform. York Home Performance serves homeowners across Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Our BPI-certified team tests every combustion appliance in your home and explains exactly what we find before any work begins. Audits start at $100-$150 and are often rebate-eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Monoxide Testing
Is carbon monoxide testing included in a home energy audit?
Yes. Combustion safety testing including carbon monoxide analysis is a standard part of every BPI-certified home energy audit we perform. It is included in our audit starting at $100-$150.
Do CO detectors in my home replace professional testing?
No. Residential CO detectors alarm at concentrations that, while dangerous, are already elevated. They do not identify which appliance is the source. Professional combustion safety testing measures CO directly at the appliance and in the flue, catching problems at much lower levels.
Why does air sealing increase CO risk if not done properly?
Air sealing reduces uncontrolled air infiltration that combustion appliances have relied on for makeup air. When a home is tightened without assessing combustion appliances, those appliances can begin to backdraft, pulling CO back into the living space. This is why BPI protocol requires combustion testing before and after air sealing work.
What happens if my home fails CO testing?
We explain the finding clearly and do not proceed with air sealing work until the safety issue is resolved. We document the finding so you can arrange the appropriate service. Resolving the issue before tightening the home protects your family and ensures the efficiency work is done safely.
Where do you provide carbon monoxide testing services?
CO testing is included in every home energy audit we perform across Pennsylvania and Maryland including York County and surrounding PA counties, and the greater Baltimore and central Maryland area.