Any homes with an LPG or natural gas supply should understand the critical nature of carbon monoxide (CO) testing.
Dubbed “the silent killer” due to its colourless, tasteless and odourless chemical properties, carbon monoxide can do a great deal of harm before you’ve even realised it. Exposure to the toxic fumes can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
This presents several symptoms, with death being the worst case scenario. While fatalities are not common in Australia, they can and do happen in the event of unsafe gas appliance use or faulty installations.
Due to the sheer number of fuel-burning appliances that can potentially leak CO gas, it’s easy to see why you want to be prepared for a potential leak inside your home.
Carbon monoxide exposure is something to avoid. Let’s take a closer look at the signs of CO leaks, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and the best ways to detect the presence of a CO leak in your home.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a compound that consists of one carbon atom that bonds to one oxygen atom (compared to carbon dioxide, which is one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms). Burning fuels like natural gas, petrol, coal, charcoal and wood causes CO to form when the fire doesn’t receive enough oxygen.
The fuel burns incompletely, releasing this colourless, odourless and potentially lethal gas into the surrounding air (especially in an enclosed space).
If you have any appliances that use any of these fuels, whether it’s a gas oven, hot water system or even a BBQ powered by burning charcoal, it is essential to get them tested regularly. Testing is essential if you’re after additional protection and awareness
The colourless and odourless nature of carbon monoxide means it’s impossible to detect without the use of a CO detector.
First things first: you cannot experience carbon monoxide poisoning without being exposed to CO gas.
CO poisoning happens when prolonged exposure causes CO to accumulate in the blood. When the levels of carbon monoxide get so high that a person cannot help but inhale it, the CO effectively binds to the haemoglobin much more readily than oxygen in your blood.
The result? It forms carboxyhaemoglobin, which restricts your blood’s ability to carry oxygen to the major organs of your body, including your brain and heart. Obviously, this is the last thing you want. CO poisoning leads to a multitude of different symptoms.
Exposure to CO does no one any favours, but who is most likely to suffer the adverse effects of carbon monoxide poisoning? The following people are most at risk:
It’s also a concern if everyone in the household gets sick at the same time, including pets. Be sure to promptly act if anything seems amiss while a gas appliance is running.
To keep your family safe and prevent avoidable sudden illness, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential sources of carbon monoxide leaks. But what appliances can potentially leak CO gas?
Here are some common items and appliances that produce CO and can potentially leak it into your home :
Understanding where carbon monoxide comes from and taking preventative measures to stop leaks in their tracks can help you protect your home and loved ones from CO exposure.
Faulty gas and fuel-burning appliances are dangerous if they present any faults, and you ignore them. To maintain a safe and healthy living environment, it’s important to install carbon monoxide detectors and keep your appliances well-maintained.
Even if you’re yet to perform carbon monoxide testing or install a carbon monoxide detector, you can look for signs of a possible CO leak. The important thing is knowing what to look for if you’re using fuel-burning equipment, such as:
How much carbon monoxide is it safe to be exposed to? It depends on the size of the room and how efficiently your ventilation works (e.g. exhaust fans). But keep in mind that the smaller the room and more closed off it is, the more dangerous the CO leak will be.
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms but don’t have the fever that commonly comes with them, you may have carbon monoxide poisoning. The severity will depend on just how strong the carbon monoxide leak is, as high levels of exposure will put your body under far more stress than a slow leak.
The Victorian Government’s BetterHealth channel states that the common early symptoms of CO poisoning are:
Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can also result in impaired thinking and loss of focus, erratic changes in emotion, irritability and, at worst, fatality.
If you have a carbon monoxide leak and display potential symptoms, switch off any gas appliances in your house (if it’s safe to do so). Open all doors and windows to allow as much fresh air in as possible, and evacuate your home straight away.
Shut off your mains gas supply by switching your gas meter valve to the horizontal (off) position.
If you or anyone feels unwell or shows other symptoms of poisoning, contact your GP or emergency services to get treatment underway ASAP. And do NOT re-enter the home until a licensed gas fitter has determined that it is safe to do so.
There are several ways to test for carbon monoxide in your home. It is something you should consistently monitor, even if you don’t detect signs of a CO leak.
Here are the best ways to conduct a thorough test.
This type of CO detector can be hard-wired to your electrical system like a smoke alarm. Electronic carbon monoxide detectors often have other functions, too, such as detecting smoke and heat. If you’re installing CO detectors, follow the manufacturer’s placement instructions. Make sure you have an alarm close to every bedroom and any room with gas-powered appliances.
You can also install these units near every bedroom and any room in your home with gas appliances. It’s well worth choosing a model that also detects smoke and heat. The battery-operated detector’s biggest advantage is that it will still work during a blackout, but make sure you change the batteries regularly.
A portable CO detector can be useful for detecting carbon monoxide levels near all gas-powered appliances. These battery-powered units are a handy way to check every room of the house. Note that portable detectors are rarely, if ever, a like-for-like substitute for a fixed detector unit.
Licensed heating and cooling professionals have several methods for doing carbon monoxide testing. The most common method a professional will use is an ambient air tester, which will give a digital readout of CO levels.
Another method is a pump-driven analyser, which is particularly good at locating the appliance causing the problem. The most powerful unit is a combustion analyser, which will not only detect CO leaks but also measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air.
The best way to minimise carbon monoxide exposure and the risk of CO poisoning is to prevent leaks from happening in the first place.
Start by making sure your gas appliances are properly installed and regularly serviced by a licensed professional. Ensure every heater, oven or dryer is vented correctly so incomplete combustion of natural gas or other fuels cannot produce carbon monoxide in an enclosed space.
Keep flues clear, never run a power-washer or keep your car running with the garage door shut, and open windows to let fresh air immediately dilute any toxic fumes. Even with the garage door open a running car or other petrol-fuelled equipment can still produce high concentrations of dangerous carbon dioxide.
Fit mains-powered CO detectors with battery backup on every level, test them monthly, and act on alarm sounds ASAP to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you don’t have a CO detector, contact a licensed professional soon to get your appliances and devices tested.
Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.
Energy Safe Victoria and NSW Health recommend having all fuel-burning appliances, including gas heaters, gas and wood stoves and coal-burning appliances, serviced by a licensed gas-fitter at least once every two years.
Regular servicing removes soot, fixes incomplete combustion and checks ventilation, dramatically lowering the risk of carbon monoxide exposure in enclosed spaces.
Install at least one CO detector on every level of your house: outside each bedroom and in rooms containing gas appliances or other fuel-burning equipment.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on height. CO mixes with air, so detectors work well from knee to head height. Avoid corners, vents and bathrooms so the sensor can sample fresh air and raise the alarm quickly.
In Australia, quality detectors certified to EN 50291 or UL 2034 activate long before life-threatening levels build.
Typical units sound after 50 ppm for 60–90 minutes, 100 ppm for 10–40 minutes, or 300 ppm within 3 minutes. These thresholds are consistent with guidelines recognised by Australian health and safety authorities, giving you time to ventilate the area, switch off gas equipment, and move to fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Yes. A poorly-adjusted burner, blocked vent, or low fresh-air flow can let small but continuous amounts of CO escape. Chronic exposure to low concentrations that fall under the alarm threshold may still cause symptoms in vulnerable people. Regular servicing, adequate ventilation and a calibrated CO detector are the safest way to spot and fix the problem.
Published: 2025-05-29
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