Air Conditioner Use Can Increase Carbon Monoxide Risk, SaskEnergy Warns

SaskEnergy is advising the public about a potential carbon monoxide (CO) hazard associated with certain types of air conditioning units. Portable, wall-mounted, and window-mounted ACs can exhaust indoor air more quickly than fresh air can enter, leading to negative air pressure. This condition can pull CO from household fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces and water heaters, back into the living space. The utility emphasizes that this is not a warning against using AC units but rather an alert about how their operation can affect home airflow. SaskEnergy has observed a rise in CO-related calls, which they attribute to the increased use of portable AC units. While using these units is not inherently risky, concerns are most often reported in homes that also use conventional water heaters alongside portable ACs. To mitigate this risk, SaskEnergy recommends opening a window or door slightly when running an AC that exhausts air outdoors, ensuring all homes and recreational vehicles have working CO alarms, and regularly inspecting fuel-burning appliances. They also suggest avoiding simultaneous operation of multiple air-exhausting devices, like kitchen fans and ACs, and ensuring outdoor AC units are not placed near potential CO sources such as appliance vents or idling vehicles. Fire officials corroborate that AC units themselves do not produce CO but can create conditions that make existing CO a hazard. Additionally, the public is reminded that CO can build up in enclosed spaces due to poor ventilation, and gasoline-powered equipment should never be started indoors or near air intakes.