The Boiler Story: Dodging A Bullet, Making It Into the New Year,
and Being Ready For Old Man Winter
[posted 01/02/07]

I am happy to say that a major home-related headache has been resolved, just in time to get the New Year started right. It all started one evening last Oct. when the condo's fire alarm went off and this time it did not go silent after only a few minutes. Soon enough, fire trucks and police cars had assembled outside the building and there was lots of commotion going on. I soon became quite unsettled when eventually the firemen started banging on my door and demanded to be let in to inspect the place. What happened was that the boiler in the unit right above mine had leaked deadly Carbon Monoxide gas (the so-called "Silent Killer.") The residents in the unit were sent to the emergency room but, as far as I know, no lives were lost. Later I learned that the cause was the antiquated boiler system used in the majority of the units in the condo (most were installed over 20 years ago when the building was constructed). Since each unit's boiler shares a conduit with all of the units above and below, the likelihood that any gas leak can spread to other units through this channel is very high. Perhaps it was fortunate that the leak occurred in the unit on the topmost floor of the six story building, with I believe gas generally tending to rise. I was in my unit when this all took place, but I do not recall having felt "buzzed", drowsy, or anything like that. But who knows what could have happened if a little bit more time had been allowed to pass before any alarms sounded...

Fast foward to the end of last December. Because of the condo's outdated and degrated boiler system, the city mandated that a special Carbon Monixide detector be installed ASAP in every unit. As part of complying with this requirement, the building's management strongly advised unit owners to replace the entire boiler and water heating system at this opportunity. They managed to secure a reasonable deal from a local contractor. Despite some worry, I was relieved to hear from my landlord that they will accept this offer. And over the holiday weekend, the contractor finally came, took apart the old boiler and heater, and installed the brand-spanking new replacement units. Unsuprisingly, while the crew were working there was lots of banging, drilling, cutting, shouting, and playing of loud music, but it all wrapped up in one day and it looks like they did a good job. With the old water heater it was common for hot running water to turn lukewarm only after about 15 min. So it made for very frequent shivering showers during the cold Winter months. Fortunately Fall and Winter so far have been very mild so it has not been unbearable, but it's bound to get much colder soon enough. So I am now looking forward to steaming hot bubble baths. Hopefully this modern system will be much more efficient and cut down operating and fuel costs. And in the end this will all be good for the environment.

Of course, this new creature comfort will not come without a cost, so I'm bracing for the inevitable rent increase. But this episode made me appreciate how convenient and comfortable modern life is. And considering that just one little thing going differently and it could have been me going to the emergency room or perhaps even worse, I am also grateful that I had dodged a bullet. Now, in addition to the comfort of actually hot water and a toasty apartment, I will be able to enjoy going to sleep without fearing one day it could be a "permanent slumber." But just to be sure, I invested in a back-up Carbon Monoxide detector (I just may get one for each of my two rooms!) It is made by First Alert and it is a type that you plug into the outlet (with battery back-up). For those who never gave the dangers of CO1 a thought, I leave you now with a strong recommendation to check the condition of your boiler, stove, barbeque grill, automobile, etc. and to also invest in a deterctor/alarm. You will never know when you'll really need it. Well, I wish you a warm, comfy and safe New Year!!!