For top-quality gas fireplace services, call Chimney.com at (301) 761-2228, or contact us online to arrange your free estimate! The average price of natural gas in the US in 2020 was about $1 per therm. 6. Chronic sinusitis usually persists longer than 10 days, but the symptoms are the same. Dont use your fireplace, and avoid gatherings that include fires. Dont use your vent-free gas fireplace for more than a few hours at a time. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Strange smells: If you smell something strange coming from your gas fireplace, it could be a sign of a gas leak. Only use a licensed gasfitter who has completed training on detecting and correcting risks of carbon monoxide spillage. Never use an outdoor appliance inside (this includes barbeques and patio heaters). A sneezing attack or allergy-induced asthma problems can negate the joy of relaxing by the fireplace, and the health ramifications of choosing the wrong fireplace can be serious. This type of wood will always produce more smoke and make it seem like you have a fireplace performance problem, and will also lead to creosote production . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. If you do go this route, make sure theyre fully vented outdoors to keep pollutants out. This can especially be the case with vent-free gas logs. Volatile organic compounds Construction dust and debris Second-hand cigarette smoke Exhaust fumes Household cleaning products Hairspray Pollen Weeds Grasses and pesticides Fumes from inappropriate burning of trash, propane, coal, charcoal, oil, wood and natural gas Pollution can cause sinus irritation Otherwise, all that heat will escape right up the chimney! Should I keep the glass doors closed on my gas fireplace? Our sinuses are filled with air, and the pressure in those sinuses is no longer at equilibrium with the pressure outside of the body when the barometric pressure changes. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by gas fireplace leaks, but can also be caused by explosions that can level a block. Never burn plastic, garbage or pressure-treated wood. Have your gas heater serviced and tested by an appropriately trained and licensed gasfitter at least once every 2 years. Teeny holes that connect your nasal passages to your sinuses (basically a collection of hollow, moist cavities that lurk beneath your nose, eyes, and cheeks) get blocked. Sinuses are passages that connect your nose, cheeks, forehead, and jaw with the nasal passage. Its important to limit your exposure to smoke, says Dr. Cain. The problem seems to be with the power adapter that the fireplace cord plugs into, which then plugs into the wall outlet. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This is why so often you will see people dealing with both sinus pressure and headaches at the same time. Ventless gas fireplaces are highly beneficial and also cost less than traditional furnaces and heaters. Fireplace maintenance. Under these laws, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluates the risks of new and existing chemicals and works to prevent or reduce pollution beforeit gets into the environment.Decreasing environmental pollution is now considered a key element in reducing health problems in the United States. CO alarm manufacturers suggest installing CO alarms in or near to every room that has a gas heating appliance. Consider buying an air cleaner. Developing and adhering to a weekly exercise routine can be helpful when it comes to maintaining healthy sinuses. When choosing between wood-burning fireplaces and gas logs, there is probably no perfect choice that will eradicate the risk of triggering allergies and breathing harmful substances. The major sources of man-made air pollution in Melbourne are from motor vehicle emissions and wood heaters. It doesn't have anything to do with your nasal . Colds are caused by a virus, which can make nasal tissue swell, blocking the holes that normally drain sinuses. Gas fireplaces are one of the most common sources of exposure, even though there are many other possibilities. Allergy occurs when the body overreacts to a 'trigger' that is harmless to most people. Its especially important for you to pay attention to local air quality reports during a fire if you are. Testing for allergens will allow you and your doctor to create an allergy management program to avoid exposure and effects of allergens. Other wood smoke pollutants In addition to the fireplace smoke that can be released inside the home,researchhas shown that up to 70% of smoke released via the chimney re-enters your home. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If the mucus dries inside your sinuses, it can also crust and block your sinus cavity, causing inflammation leading to nasal irritation or even a sinus infection. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Wood smoke can also contain several toxic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein and methane. When the cord is plugged straight into the wall, without the adapter, the fireplace can be turned on manually with the switch on the unit itself. If you leave your fireplace on for more than three hours at a time, you are putting yourself at risk. Will a carbon monoxide detector detect a gas leak? Answered in 5 minutes by: Never leave a gas fireplace unattended. Wood fireplaces are not as safe as gas fireplaces. Related: How to Vent a Gas Fireplace Without a Chimney? Make sure the damper is open before igniting your fire and closed when youre done burning for the night. Can opening a window help with carbon monoxide? This is possible with vent-free gas logs. This goes for all animals in your house with pet dander. If you must leave the room for any reason, extinguish the fire first. Is it OK to leave fireplace on overnight? When these cavities fill up, your sinuses feel the pressure of the added fluid and tend to feel uncomfortable. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Although the reason for this is still indefinite, acid reflux can lead to ear and sinus infections for some patients. but my records show this is occurring during the winter months? Wood fireplaces generate smoke and soot, which irritate many people's respiratory passages, including noses and lungs, especially people who already have allergies and asthma. Use newspaper and small pieces of dry wood to start fires. If your unit is getting both power and spark, the next phase of the troubleshooting process involves making sure it's receiving gas. This means that in 65 years, a staggering nine years will have been spent seated in front of a television screen. We have recognized a glitch in our appointment software. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause serious health problems, including death. Always make sure that a patio heater is stable or fixed, and only use them outdoors. Did you know that the air both inside and outside of your home is filled with potentially harmful irritants that may contribute to sinus problems? People often find that they have allergic reactions to the fumes from gas fireplaces. It is inexpensive to run a gas fireplace. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You can use these if you wish. There are three types of headache due to gas. If you are experiencing concerning symptoms that do not improve over time, seek the advice of your doctor. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Narrow sinuses. The main concern with gas fireplace fumes is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Skip to content. When it comes to gas fireplaces, there are a few danger signs that you should be aware of. A barometric shift can cause your nose to swell. Brian J. Heaters dry out the air and . There is smoke in the room. Avoid winter sinus problems with these easy steps. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. there is any sign of trouble get it serviced immediately. Clean the air ducts in your heating and cooling systems regularly. "People who smoke may be at higher. Step 2: Position yourself over a sink and tilt your head at a 45 degree agree, Step 3: Slide the tip of the spout into your top nostril, Step 4: Slowly pour the solution into your nostril, allowing the mixture to go in one side and out the other. The cost to run a gas fireplace is around $0.40 an hour. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Gas fireplaces, gas stoves and inserts all use sealed combustion technology, which means all combustion air comes from the outside. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. What is the purpose of glass doors on a gas fireplace? Never use or store a gas cylinder indoors. Do gas fireplaces create carbon monoxide? Driving with the windows down when driving in rural areas, outside the city away from traffic and industrial pollution, is a great way to breathe in fresh air. Gas heaters need to be professionally installed and serviced by a trained and qualified gasfitter. The answer to "Can you burn wood in a gas fireplace?" is a resounding NO! When it comes to safety, its a good idea to open your windows when you use the fireplace. 1. If you have asthma or another lung disease,make sure you follow your healthcare providers directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma action plan. Make sure your wood has been split and stored for at least 6 months. Open windows to air out the house when air quality improves. If you see any of these danger signs, its important to contact a professional immediately to have your fireplace inspected. If you think you may have been exposed to CO fumes, see a doctor immediately. Its not possible to have a fireplace that causes allergies. A ventless fireplace runs on natural gas, including butane or propane, and does not produce the harmful emissions that require a wood-burning fireplace to have a suitable ventilation system. How to Vent a Gas Fireplace Without a Chimney? 3. The gas is generally a combination of swallowed air and gas produced by the action of colon . Viruses and bacteria will not be flushed away unless the sinuses have enough moisture. But EPA's color-coded Air Quality Index can help you protect yourself when particle levels are high. High concentrations of smoke can trigger a range of symptoms. If you have heart, vascular or lung disease, including asthma,talk with your health care provider before fire season to make plans. This is because when gas ignites, it creates a lot of heat and pressure. There are yellow and brown stains on boilers, stoves, and fires. Flames are coming out of the unit: If you see flames coming out of your gas fireplace, turn off the gas immediately and call a professional. Exposing yourself to sunlight each day is also important for Vitamin D and calcium consumption, revitalizing your tissues and their ability to regenerate. If the goal is to have a realistic looking fireplace, gas is the better choice. Be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure and seek medical attention if necessary. This can affect the lungs and the heart as well. As digestive bacteria break down food, little pockets of air are created in the process. If you allow a gas fireplace to stay on for more than three hours at a time, you should lose your job. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. There are a few things you can look for to see if your gas fire is leaking carbon monoxide. Electric units dont work with gas fireplaces because they have real flames. Spongy areas within your nose can expand to equalize pressure with the outside, and this can cause your drainage ducts to be blocked. This possibility should be tested when you have your heater serviced. Yes, gas fireplaces can cause headaches. Don't vacuum. Why does my fireplace give me a headache? Many people enjoy the warmth and ambiance that a fireplace provides during chilly days and nights. So while gas fireplaces may not be the cause of your sinus problems, they could actually help to relieve them! This is an indication that combustion isnt taking place properly and that harmful gases could be present. Wood to start fires doesn & # x27 ; t have anything to do with your nasal possibility should tested... Nose to swell and gas produced by the action of colon to ear and infections. Aware of you think you may have been exposed to CO fumes, see a doctor.. Air comes from the outside, and only use a licensed gasfitter at least once every 2 years installed... 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