Gas HVAC with leaky heat exchanger, how dangerous?

[Gilligan]

I'm told by the HVAC guy that it's a SILENT KILLER!!!

Which I get how that works... BUT, the thing that got me wonder is... how is this any different than the guy next door to me that has his gas stove running off the same gas?

If you have a gas stove and you are standing over it cooking and the only real out for that gas is the hood vent 3 foot above the source then isn't it "leaking" into the room and certainly the person cooking is breathing in WAY more than what would leak into an HVAC unit via a few cracks.

Right?

I mean, I understand not chancing it and such... but with temps like it is now (for us), I'm thinking it's worth it.

[ebscreen]

Don't quote me, but it's the burning characteristics and not to mention volume of the flame that produces
excess C0.

Be safe. Take a look at carbon monoxide poisoning pictures for a reminder. Some creepy ass ones from the 40's,
people all slumped out at a party, etc. Alcohol exacerbates the effects btw.

That said, I've heard the majority of poisonings these days are from the kind of folks that run gas generators in
their living room to power the TV because the electricity got shut off...

[Binkspot]

They wouldn't allow open pilot lights or gas ranges or gas fire places if it was dangerous. Open the cover on the furnas when it's running, it's not enclosed in an air tight box, you can watch the flames. Gas (LPG, NG, LNG) burns clean. The danger is in the CO but the amount being released is minimal and being replaced with fresh air (usually, there is always some ass monkey who uses it in a air tight space and soficates) naturally through venting or leaks in the house.

[Northland]

I'd for sure be buying two CO detectors... the kind with a digital numerical display showing the level.

Here's a good table showing the levels considered hazardous:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning

[screenxpress]

I agree, and we have two.  One in the bedroom.