Stop Playing Russian Roulette with Your Furnace

That weird smell coming from your basement isn’t something you can ignore until Monday morning. We’ve all been there, standing at the top of the basement stairs wondering if that strange odor is something serious or just another quirk of our old Minneapolis home. But here’s what I’ve learned after 17 years of emergency furnace calls: your nose is usually right, and waiting can be deadly.

Last winter, I got a call from a family in Uptown at 2 AM. The mom said she had this nagging feeling something wasn’t right with their furnace. Her instincts saved their lives – we found dangerous CO levels that could have been fatal by morning. That gut feeling you have right now? It’s worth a phone call.

Why You Should Call Me Instead of the Big Companies

After responding to hundreds of furnace emergencies across Minneapolis, I’ve seen what happens when homeowners get shuffled around by call centers and charged for repairs they don’t need. That’s not how I run MplsCOEmergency.

When you call (651) 403-6300, you’re talking directly to me – Mike, the guy who’s going to show up at your door. No phone trees, no “let me transfer you to someone who can help.” I’ve been doing this for 17 years because I genuinely care about keeping Minneapolis families safe.

“I started this business after seeing too many families put at risk by companies that treated CO emergencies like routine service calls. Every minute counts when carbon monoxide is involved.” – Mike, Owner

What I Know About Minneapolis Furnaces (That Others Don’t)

Minneapolis homes have their own personality, especially the older ones in neighborhoods like Northeast, Uptown, and South Minneapolis. I’ve crawled through basements built in the 1920s and worked on furnaces that have been patched and re-patched for decades.

Here’s what I’ve learned about our city’s unique challenges:

• Our brutal winters push older furnaces beyond their limits
• Many homes have original ductwork that creates backdraft issues
• Historic homes often have creative venting solutions that can fail
• Ice dams can block exterior vents, causing dangerous CO buildup
• Older heat exchangers crack more frequently in extreme cold

I hold a Minneapolis HVAC Class A License, Gas Fitter certification, EPA 608 Universal, and I’m NATE Certified. But more importantly, I know how Minneapolis homes behave in January when it’s -20°F outside.

Here’s Exactly What Happens When You Call

I keep my process simple because emergencies are stressful enough without complicated procedures:

The Services That Keep Minneapolis Families Safe

Every service I offer comes from real situations I’ve encountered in Minneapolis homes. Here’s what I can do for you:

• CO Leak Detection: Using professional-grade equipment to find dangerous carbon monoxide levels before they become deadly
• Emergency CO Response: 24/7 immediate response to carbon monoxide alarms or symptoms in your family
• Furnace Repair: Fixing broken furnaces that are producing CO or failing to heat properly
• Heat Exchanger Inspections: Detailed examination of the part most likely to leak deadly carbon monoxide
• Carbon Monoxide Safety Inspections: Complete home evaluation to identify potential CO sources
• CO Detector Installation: Proper placement and setup of detectors that actually work when you need them
• Furnace Maintenance Plans: Regular checkups to catch problems before they become emergencies
• Insurance Claim Assistance: Help documenting damage and working with your insurance company
• Landlord Safety Checks: Required inspections to keep rental properties safe and legal
• Real Estate CO Audits: Pre-purchase inspections to identify potential CO hazards in your new home

What Sets Me Apart from Every Other HVAC Company

I’m not trying to build a giant company with dozens of trucks and call centers. I’m focused on being the best at what I do – keeping Minneapolis families safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Most HVAC companies treat CO detection as an add-on service. For me, it’s the reason I get up every morning. I’ve seen what happens when families don’t take it seriously.” – Mike, Owner

Here’s what makes MplsCOEmergency different:

• True 24/7 availability (I answer my own phone)
• 30-minute emergency response guarantee
• Over 576 hours of formal HVAC training plus 17 years of hands-on experience
• Specialized CO emergency training that most techs don’t have
• No upselling – I only fix what’s actually broken
• Plain-English explanations of what’s wrong and how to fix it
• Fully licensed, bonded, and insured with workers’ compensation coverage

Recent Saves Across Minneapolis

Here are a few recent calls that show why this work matters so much to me:

Uptown: Responded to a family experiencing headaches and dizziness – found a cracked heat exchanger leaking CO at dangerous levels.

Northeast Minneapolis: Emergency call for a furnace that wouldn’t start during a -15°F cold snap – discovered blocked venting that would have caused CO buildup.

South Minneapolis: Pre-purchase inspection for a 1940s home revealed improper venting that could have poisoned the new family.

Downtown Minneapolis: Late-night call for a condo with CO alarm going off – found a neighbor’s faulty water heater affecting multiple units.

Where I Respond for Emergency CO Calls

I cover all of Minneapolis and focus on neighborhoods where older homes and brutal winters create the highest risk for CO problems. My response area includes Uptown, Downtown, Northeast Minneapolis, South Minneapolis, Seward, Cedar-Riverside, and surrounding areas.

For a complete list of neighborhoods I serve, check out my service areas page.

Questions Minneapolis Homeowners Ask Me

How do I know if my CO detector is working properly?
Press the test button monthly, but more importantly, replace the batteries twice a year. I recommend doing it when we change the clocks. If your detector is more than 7 years old, replace the entire unit. Check out our CO detector placement guide for more details.

Can I test for carbon monoxide myself?
Basic CO detectors only alert you to dangerous levels. I use professional equipment that can detect trace amounts and pinpoint exactly where it’s coming from. If you suspect a problem, call me rather than trying to investigate yourself.

What should I do if my CO alarm goes off?
Get everyone out of the house immediately, call 911, then call me at (651) 403-6300. Don’t go back inside until the fire department clears the air and I’ve identified and fixed the source. Our CO leak response guide has complete step-by-step instructions.

How often should I have my furnace inspected for CO leaks?
I recommend annual inspections before heating season, but call immediately if you notice any changes in how your furnace sounds, smells, or operates. Learn more about warning signs of heat exchanger problems.

Insider Tips That Could Save Your Life

After 17 years of CO emergencies, here’s what I want every Minneapolis homeowner to know:

Trust Your Nose: That metallic or “hot” smell near your furnace isn’t normal. CO itself is odorless, but problems that cause CO leaks often create unusual odors.

Watch Your Pilot Light: A yellow or orange flame instead of blue can indicate incomplete combustion that produces carbon monoxide. The flame should be steady and blue.

Check Your Vents After Snow: Minneapolis snowstorms can block exterior vents. Walk around your house after heavy snow and make sure all vents are clear. Our winter CO safety guide explains this in detail.

Know the Symptoms: CO poisoning feels like the flu but without fever. If multiple family members feel sick at the same time, especially with headaches and dizziness, get out and call for help. Review our complete list of CO poisoning symptoms.

Don’t Ignore Your Gut: I’ve responded to countless calls where someone said “something just doesn’t feel right.” Those instincts often save lives.

“The families who call me early – when they first notice something odd – are the ones I can help before anyone gets hurt. The scary calls are when people wait until someone’s already sick.” – Mike, Owner

Customer Testimonial: “Celia M., Uptown, January 2025: Mike responded to our emergency call at 11 PM when our CO detector went off. He found the problem in 15 minutes and had us safe by midnight. Professional, fast, and clearly knew exactly what he was doing. Can’t thank him enough.”

The Reality of CO Emergency Work

I won’t sugarcoat this – carbon monoxide emergencies are serious business. The upside is that most CO problems can be fixed quickly once identified. The downside is that waiting to address symptoms or warning signs can be fatal.

Minneapolis winters make CO risks higher because:

• We run our heating systems harder and longer
• We keep our homes sealed tight against the cold
• Snow and ice can block venting systems
• Older furnaces are more likely to fail under extreme conditions

But here’s the good news: with proper detection and immediate response, CO poisoning is completely preventable. That’s why I guarantee a 30-minute response time and why I answer my phone 24/7.

Your family’s safety is worth a phone call. If something doesn’t feel right with your furnace, trust that feeling and call (651) 403-6300. I’d rather check out a false alarm than respond to a tragedy that could have been prevented.