Lilliputian wrote: We use a ceramic heater. Not because of CO poisoning, but because we have kids with asthma, and the furnace fire just bothers them. In any case, it supplies a very generous amount of heat for our 26 foot trailer, even in the "master bedroom" that has pocket doors on either side of a center wall for the swivily TV thingie (yes, that's the technical term for it). We do leave those pocket doors open, of course.
I think that 2 CO detectors is a good idea. Actually testing a CO detector is hard to do. When you press the button, you're just testing to see if the noise maker and battery are functioning. To test a smoke detector, you need to put smoke under it and see if it goes off. Likewise, to test a CO detector, you need to expose it to CO and see what happens. Since your CO detector is a part of your trailer and can't be removed to, for example, your garage while a car is running, you never really know for sure if it's functioning well. Having two makes things safer.
I have no doubt that SOMETHING is bothering your children, but I doubt it is "the furnace fire". As mentioned, the fire is completely contained in the heat exchanger. The furnace draws in outside air for combustion, and vents the exhaust to the outside. The air in the trailer goes over the outside of the heat exchanger and circulates inside the trailer.
I suspect your furnace needs to be cleaned. The dust, dirt, mouse nests, etc. are probably what is awakening the sensitivity in your children.
IF the heat exchanger is cracked, (a rare but not unknown occurrence), combustion by-products could be entering the trailer air. If that is the case, the furnace should be replaced.
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Quote: I suspect your furnace needs to be cleaned. The dust, dirt, mouse nests, etc. are probably what is awakening the sensitivity in your children.
IF the heat exchanger is cracked, (a rare but not unknown occurrence), combustion by-products could be entering the trailer air. If that is the case, the furnace should be replaced.
That is what I was thinking Mower. Could be something as simple as a good cleaning or could be something as serious as a cracked heat exchanger. Either way, IMHO it should be checked out.
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