Comfort is important—but safety always comes first.
As a homeowner with a gas furnace, especially a high-efficiency system like a Goodman 96% AFUE furnace, you’re already doing a lot right. These systems are engineered with multiple safety controls built in. But no furnace—no matter how advanced—can protect you alone.
That’s where carbon monoxide (CO) awareness and safety devices come in.
This guide will walk you through:
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What carbon monoxide really is (and why it’s dangerous)
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How your Goodman furnace manages CO risk
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The essential safety devices every homeowner should have
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Where to install them
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How often to test and maintain them
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When to call a professional immediately
No fear tactics—just clear, practical guidance that helps keep your home and family safe.
☠️ What Is Carbon Monoxide (and Why It’s So Dangerous)
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced whenever fuel burns. That includes:
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Natural gas furnaces
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Water heaters
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Fireplaces
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Gas stoves
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Attached garages
The danger of CO is simple—and serious:
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You can’t smell it
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You can’t see it
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Symptoms often feel like the flu at first
👉 According to the CDC, carbon monoxide poisoning sends tens of thousands of people to emergency rooms each year:
https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
Early symptoms can include:
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Headaches
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Dizziness
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Fatigue
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Nausea
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Confusion
At high levels, CO can be fatal.
🔥 How Your Goodman Furnace Handles Carbon Monoxide Risk
Modern Goodman furnaces are designed with multiple built-in safety layers, including:
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Sealed combustion chambers
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Pressure switches
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Flame sensors
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Limit switches
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Control boards that shut the system down if unsafe conditions are detected
High-efficiency furnaces also vent exhaust gases outdoors through PVC venting, which greatly reduces indoor CO risk—when everything is working properly.
But here’s the key point:
Built-in furnace safety is not a replacement for home CO protection.
🧠 Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide Problems in Homes
Even good furnaces can become unsafe under the wrong conditions.
⚠️ Common Risk Factors
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Cracked heat exchangers
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Blocked exhaust or intake pipes
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Improper airflow
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Backdrafting
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Failed safety switches
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Poor maintenance
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DIY repairs beyond homeowner-safe limits
👉 Heat exchanger and combustion safety explained by Energy.gov:
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/furnaces-and-boilers
This is why layered safety matters.
🔔 Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Your First Line of Defense
A carbon monoxide detector is non-negotiable in any home with a gas furnace.
✅ What a CO Detector Does
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Monitors CO levels in the air
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Sounds an alarm before levels become life-threatening
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Alerts you even while you’re sleeping
👉 CO detector guidance from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):
https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon-Monoxide-Information-Center
📍 Where to Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Proper placement is just as important as having the detector.
🏠 Recommended Locations
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Outside sleeping areas
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On every level of the home
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Near (but not directly next to) the furnace room
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Near attached garages
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In basements with gas appliances
Samantha tip:
Think of CO detectors like smoke alarms—coverage matters more than convenience.
⏱️ How Often to Test & Replace CO Detectors
🔁 Testing
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Test monthly
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Test after battery replacement
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Test after returning from extended travel
🔋 Batteries
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Replace batteries at least once per year
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Replace immediately if chirping occurs
🔄 Replacement
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Most CO detectors last 5–10 years
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Check the manufacturer’s label
🧯 Smoke Detectors & Combination Units
Many homeowners choose combo smoke + CO detectors.
✔️ Pros
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Fewer devices to manage
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Shared alerts
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Simplified maintenance
⚠️ Watch Outs
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Make sure the unit is rated for both smoke and CO
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Follow placement rules for each function
Combination units are fine—as long as they’re installed correctly.
🔌 Furnace Safety Devices Built Into Your Goodman System
Your Goodman furnace includes internal safeguards designed to prevent unsafe operation.
🔒 Key Built-In Safety Components
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Flame rollout switches
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High-limit switches
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Pressure switches
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Ignition control monitoring
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Automatic shutdown protocols
These protect the furnace—but they don’t warn occupants.
That’s why CO detectors are still essential.
🧪 Why Annual Professional Inspections Are a Safety Issue (Not Just Efficiency)
A professional furnace inspection isn’t just about saving energy—it’s about verifying safe combustion.
A technician can:
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Inspect the heat exchanger
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Check venting integrity
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Confirm proper combustion
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Test safety switches
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Identify early CO risks
👉 Professional inspection importance from ASHRAE:
https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources
Skipping inspections increases risk—even if the furnace “seems fine.”
🚨 What to Do If a Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off
This is critical—save it somewhere visible.
🚨 If the Alarm Sounds:
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Get everyone outside immediately
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Call 911 or your local emergency number
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Do not re-enter until authorities say it’s safe
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Contact a licensed HVAC professional before restarting appliances
Do not:
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Ignore the alarm
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Ventilate and stay inside
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Reset and hope it stops
Your safety comes first.
🛑 Signs You Should Call a Technician Immediately
Even without an alarm, call a professional if you notice:
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Persistent headaches or dizziness at home
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Unusual furnace odors
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Soot or rust around the furnace
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Corroded vent pipes
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Repeated furnace shutdowns
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CO alarms triggering intermittently
👉 CO symptom guidance from the CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
🛡️ Additional Safety Best Practices for Goodman Owners
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Keep furnace and vent areas clear
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Never block return or supply vents
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Avoid DIY modifications to gas or venting
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Keep maintenance records
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Educate everyone in the home about CO alarms
Safety is a system—not a single device.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Peace of Mind Is Part of Comfort
A warm home means nothing if it isn’t a safe home.
With:
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Proper carbon monoxide detectors
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Smart placement and testing
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Regular furnace maintenance
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Professional inspections
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Awareness of warning signs
…your Goodman furnace can deliver comfort with confidence.
Safety doesn’t have to be scary or complicated—it just needs to be intentional.
