Lowry Hill Homeowners: Your Furnace is Leaking CO – Here’s How to Stay Safe

I was working on a vintage Victorian in Lowry Hill last winter when I discovered something that still keeps me up at night. The homeowner had been getting morning headaches for weeks, figuring it was just work stress. Turns out, their 1980s furnace had a cracked heat exchanger that was slowly poisoning their family with carbon monoxide. We caught it just in time.

As Mike, owner of MplsCOEmergency, I’ve seen way too many close calls in Lowry Hill’s gorgeous old homes. These historic properties have incredible character, but they also have aging furnace systems that can develop dangerous CO leaks without any warning. If you’re getting unexplained headaches, dizziness, or nausea – especially in winter – your furnace might be the problem.

Why Lowry Hill Families Trust Us With Their Safety

After 17 years of emergency CO calls in Minneapolis, I’ve learned that Lowry Hill homeowners need someone who gets both the urgency of carbon monoxide emergencies and the unique challenges of older homes. We’re not just another HVAC company – we’re CO specialists who’ve made it our mission to keep Minneapolis families safe.

Here’s what makes us different from other contractors:

• True 24/7 availability – No answering service, I personally handle emergency calls
• 30-minute response guarantee – We know CO emergencies can’t wait
• 17+ years of local experience – I’ve worked on hundreds of Lowry Hill homes
• Owner-operated service – You get my personal attention, not some random tech
• Plain-English explanations – No confusing technical jargon or high-pressure sales

What We Know About Lowry Hill Homes

I’ve been crawling through basements and attics in Lowry Hill since 2008, and I’ve noticed some patterns that homeowners should know about. Many of these stunning homes were built between 1900-1950, which means they often have:

• Original brick chimneys that may have deteriorated mortar joints
• Furnace systems from the 1980s-1990s that are reaching end-of-life
• Basement configurations that can trap CO if venting isn’t working properly
• Older ductwork that may have developed leaks over time

“Lowry Hill homes are built like fortresses, but the mechanical systems need modern safety standards. I always tell homeowners that investing in CO safety is investing in their family’s future,” I often explain to clients during inspections.

Here’s Exactly How We Handle Your CO Emergency

When you call us with a suspected CO leak, here’s what happens next:

The CO Services That Keep Lowry Hill Families Safe

We offer a complete range of carbon monoxide safety services tailored to the unique needs of Minneapolis homeowners:

• CO Leak Detection – Advanced equipment identifies even trace amounts of carbon monoxide in your home’s air
• Emergency CO Response – Immediate dispatch within 30 minutes for suspected CO emergencies
• Furnace Repair – Expert repair of cracked heat exchangers, faulty venting, and other CO-producing issues
• Heat Exchanger Inspections – Detailed examination of your furnace’s most critical safety component
• Carbon Monoxide Safety Inspections – Complete home assessment of all potential CO sources
• CO Detector Installation – Professional placement and setup of monitored CO detection systems
• Furnace Maintenance Plans – Preventive service to catch CO risks before they become emergencies
• Insurance Claim Assistance – Help documenting and filing claims for CO-related damages
• Landlord Safety Checks – Required CO inspections for rental properties
• Real Estate CO Audits – Pre-purchase safety inspections for home buyers

What Makes Us Minneapolis’s Most Trusted CO Emergency Service

I didn’t start this business to get rich – I started it because I saw too many families dealing with CO poisoning that could have been prevented. Here’s what our clients consistently tell us makes the difference:

• Honest assessments – We never recommend unnecessary repairs or replacements
• Emergency availability – Real 24/7 service, not just an answering machine
• Local expertise – We know Minneapolis homes and their common CO risks
• Licensed and insured – Minneapolis HVAC Class A License, EPA 608 Universal, NATE Certified
• Community focus – We live and work in the neighborhoods we serve

“I’ve responded to over 2,000 CO emergencies in Minneapolis, and I can tell you that early detection saves lives. The families who call us at the first sign of symptoms always have better outcomes than those who wait,” I tell homeowners during our safety inspections.

Recent CO Emergency Calls in Your Neighborhood

Here are some recent jobs we’ve completed in and around Lowry Hill:

• Kenwood – Replaced cracked heat exchanger in 1920s Tudor home that was producing dangerous CO levels
• Uptown – Emergency repair of blocked furnace vent that caused CO buildup in family’s basement
• Cedar Isles – Installed whole-home CO monitoring system after near-miss incident with faulty water heater
• Downtown Minneapolis – Assisted condo owner with insurance claim after CO leak damaged electronics and required professional cleaning
• Northeast Minneapolis – Performed emergency heat exchanger inspection that revealed hairline crack invisible to naked eye

We Serve All of Minneapolis and Surrounding Areas

While we specialize in Lowry Hill, our emergency response covers the entire Minneapolis metro area. We regularly service homeowners throughout Minneapolis neighborhoods and surrounding communities.

View our complete service area and response times

Questions Lowry Hill Homeowners Ask About CO Safety

How often should I have my furnace inspected for CO leaks in an older home?

In homes built before 1990, I recommend annual CO safety inspections, ideally in early fall before heating season begins. Lowry Hill’s older homes should also have inspections after any major weather events that could affect chimney or venting systems.

Can CO detectors give false alarms, and how do I know if it’s real?

Modern CO detectors rarely give false alarms, but they can be triggered by other gases. If your detector sounds, treat it as real and call us immediately. We can test your air within 30 minutes and give you definitive answers.

What’s the difference between CO testing and a regular furnace tune-up?

A regular tune-up focuses on efficiency and performance, while CO testing specifically measures carbon monoxide output and tests for leaks. Many HVAC companies don’t have the specialized equipment we use for accurate CO detection.

How much does emergency CO detection cost compared to preventive inspections?

Emergency calls typically cost 2-3 times more than scheduled inspections. More importantly, emergency situations often require immediate repairs that could have been planned and budgeted with preventive service.

Insider Tips to Keep Your Lowry Hill Home CO-Safe

After thousands of CO inspections in Minneapolis, here are the most important things I want every homeowner to know:

• Never ignore morning headaches during heating season – This is often the first sign of low-level CO exposure
• Check your furnace flame color – Blue flames are normal, yellow or orange flames indicate incomplete combustion that produces CO
• Keep snow away from exterior vents – Minneapolis snowfall can block furnace and water heater vents, causing CO backup
• Replace CO detector batteries when we “spring forward” – Daylight saving time is a perfect reminder
• Schedule inspections before problems occur – Prevention is always cheaper and safer than emergency repairs

“The biggest mistake I see homeowners make is thinking newer furnaces can’t produce CO. Age doesn’t matter – any gas-burning appliance can develop problems that create carbon monoxide,” I remind clients during every service call.

Real Experience from a Lowry Hill Family

“Kendra L., Lowry Hill – January 2025: Mike responded to our CO detector alarm at 11 PM on a Sunday night. Other companies told us they couldn’t come until Monday, but Mike was at our door in 25 minutes. He found a cracked heat exchanger that could have killed our family. His quick response and honest assessment saved our lives. We can’t recommend MplsCOEmergency highly enough.”

The Reality About CO Safety in Historic Minneapolis Homes

I’ll be straight with you – living in a beautiful older home like those in Lowry Hill comes with both benefits and challenges when it comes to CO safety:

The Good News:

• Older homes often have better natural ventilation than modern sealed homes
• High ceilings can help dilute CO concentrations
• Many systems have been updated with modern safety features over the years

The Challenges:

• Original heating systems may lack modern safety controls
• Chimney deterioration can affect proper venting
• Multiple gas appliances increase potential CO sources
• Basement configurations can trap gases if venting fails

“The key is knowing what to watch for and having the right professional relationships. Lowry Hill homeowners who stay proactive about CO safety get to enjoy their beautiful homes without worrying about their family’s health,” I tell clients who are considering purchasing older properties.

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear – CO is called the “silent killer” for a reason. If you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, headaches, or nausea during heating season, call us immediately. We’re here 24/7 because carbon monoxide emergencies don’t wait for business hours.