Hi all,
Joined up to see if some of the knowledgable folks on here could lend some insight. Local trusted HVAC guy is baffled as well as local Fire Dept who we're getting too friendly with every time CO is detected
Cliff notes:
-Detached garage (somewhat below grade) with combo boiler for radiant heat in floors with Mistubishi mini-splits to supplement heat
and cool in the apartment above the garage
-New boiler as of December (Ideal brand, replacing Navien) as Navien was on it's way out (leaking exchanger, poor combustion)
-Thought replacing Navien would solve problem, didn't
-Getting ~20ppm CO reading from mini splits
-Have had over 50ppm in garage itself, triggering alarm.
-Local Fire Dept has showed up 3-4 times over past 3 months, they think it's the mini splits despite the fact there's nothing
combusting in those
-Local HVAC guy (who is respected, and we trust) is baffled.
Short backstory:
We moved into a new home about a year ago, and since installing an ADT system (including CO detectors), have had recurring CO buildup issues in the detached garage (and in-law apt above) and are unable to find the source. Originally, after the first late night alarm triggering, we found that the Navien had some issues and we replaced it, thinking that would be the end of it. We were wrong.
Fast forward, alarm went off last week, HVAC guy came and re-sealed some joints in the exhaust pipe for the boiler, he thought maybe a gasket wasn't sealing correctly. We left the boiler off for the week and last night the alarm still triggered and we had readings up in the apartment above as well as the garage below. The mini splits had been left on when the boiler was off
At this point, we are all perplexed. I know our cars didn't magically start, the boiler was off, and there is no combustion occurring in the mini splits so where the hell is the CO build up coming from?! When I move the car I always do so quickly so as to not sit in the garage with the car running, my guess would be that in the worst case (backing in, taking my time) the car is running inside the garage (with the door open) for 10 seconds, maybe?
We are truly at a loss here so I'm hoping that someone might have some insight into what might be happening here. The HVAC guys says that only if there was a massive refrigerant leak on both the mini splits would they be giving off a CO reading, and if that were the case they wouldn't be functioning as well as they are (they checked them, they look/function fine).
Thank you all so much in advance for your thoughts, we're truly frustrated by this as the late night visits from the cavalry are getting to me (and my two young girls). I'm happy to answer additional questions!
Take care.
Joined up to see if some of the knowledgable folks on here could lend some insight. Local trusted HVAC guy is baffled as well as local Fire Dept who we're getting too friendly with every time CO is detected
Cliff notes:
-Detached garage (somewhat below grade) with combo boiler for radiant heat in floors with Mistubishi mini-splits to supplement heat
and cool in the apartment above the garage
-New boiler as of December (Ideal brand, replacing Navien) as Navien was on it's way out (leaking exchanger, poor combustion)
-Thought replacing Navien would solve problem, didn't
-Getting ~20ppm CO reading from mini splits
-Have had over 50ppm in garage itself, triggering alarm.
-Local Fire Dept has showed up 3-4 times over past 3 months, they think it's the mini splits despite the fact there's nothing
combusting in those
-Local HVAC guy (who is respected, and we trust) is baffled.
Short backstory:
We moved into a new home about a year ago, and since installing an ADT system (including CO detectors), have had recurring CO buildup issues in the detached garage (and in-law apt above) and are unable to find the source. Originally, after the first late night alarm triggering, we found that the Navien had some issues and we replaced it, thinking that would be the end of it. We were wrong.
Fast forward, alarm went off last week, HVAC guy came and re-sealed some joints in the exhaust pipe for the boiler, he thought maybe a gasket wasn't sealing correctly. We left the boiler off for the week and last night the alarm still triggered and we had readings up in the apartment above as well as the garage below. The mini splits had been left on when the boiler was off
At this point, we are all perplexed. I know our cars didn't magically start, the boiler was off, and there is no combustion occurring in the mini splits so where the hell is the CO build up coming from?! When I move the car I always do so quickly so as to not sit in the garage with the car running, my guess would be that in the worst case (backing in, taking my time) the car is running inside the garage (with the door open) for 10 seconds, maybe?
We are truly at a loss here so I'm hoping that someone might have some insight into what might be happening here. The HVAC guys says that only if there was a massive refrigerant leak on both the mini splits would they be giving off a CO reading, and if that were the case they wouldn't be functioning as well as they are (they checked them, they look/function fine).
Thank you all so much in advance for your thoughts, we're truly frustrated by this as the late night visits from the cavalry are getting to me (and my two young girls). I'm happy to answer additional questions!
Take care.
source https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/threads/2238677-New-member-help-requested-CO-buildup-mystery?goto=newpost
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