Open a Window While Using Fireplace?
Q. Should I open a window while burning my gas fireplace in my 20×28 game room? I have a gas, free standing, round fireplace with full glass doors and a chimney that was professionally installed 3 years ago. I live in a 30 year old, all electric house with this gas log fireplace and I feel tightness in my chest after burning this fireplace for a few hours. Should I open a window to let in enough oxygen while I burn this gas fireplace? A. Opening a window is a good idea while operating any gas appliance especially if you feel tightness in your chest, dizziness, headaches and irritability while operating an appliance. These are symptoms of carbon monoxide toxicity and can be deadly, so prudence and safety are the practice. After discussing this with you on-the-air I suspect that the oxygen is less the issue and excessive moisture is likely to contribute to the tightness in your chest. This feeling of tightness is your body communicating possible respiratory distress. I heard you say that
