Deadly: James Sanderson Inspects an old gas heater.
By John Van Klaveren
UP TO 60 per cent of local gas heaters need servicing to avoid the risk of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a licensed Geelong tester.
James Sanderson said many gas space heaters and wall furnaces in the region were up to 30 years old.
“We find a lot of heaters clogged with dust or have not been serviced for many years,” Mr Sanderson said.
“Sometimes we will find a cracked heat exchanger or other leak within the unit.”
Mr Sanderson said householders were usually unaware of problems with gas heaters until they turned to them with onset of winter.
“The last thing we want is another tragedy like that of the two little boys who lost their lives in 2010 or three men in Tasmania as recently as last month.
“Servicing a gas heater extends the working life of gas appliances and assists energy efficiency, reducing gas bills.
“Most importantly, it protects families from the silent killer, carbon monoxide poisoning.
“You can’t smell, taste, or see carbon monoxide. The only way is through a comprehensive service and gas safety test using specialised equipment.
“An un-serviced gas heater is a terrible accident waiting to happen.”
Mr Sanderson, who works for Gas Test Australia, said external units for ducted heating could also pose risks.
“People think because the unit is outside they are safe but the leak can occur through the ducting.
Victoria’s Director of Energy Safety, Paul Fearon, advised householders to ensure qualified gasfitters serviced heaters at least every two years.
He said carbon monoxide was dangerous because it was odourless and colourless, affecting more than 100 people each year.
Nine Victorians have died from carbon monoxide poisoning since 2000, including brothers Chase and Tyler Robinson in their Mooroopna home in 2010.
