As autumn approaches, now is an excellent time to get started thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, the Centers for Disease Control says the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning increases.
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a byproduct of combustion your gas furnace depends on to heat your residence. When your heater is running as it should, the gas is safely moved outside of your house. Fractures in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your home, where ongoing exposure can be lethal.
Regardless of the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die from it every year. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the emergency room because of related issues, like headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can safeguard your loved ones is by organizing annual maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, like your furnace and water heater, and installing a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a model on the market that fits for your home and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to remain in control for keeping your family safe. They’re often available as combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be used with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other advantages of installing them in your house:
- Alerts you that there’s an issue through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.
- Locates the problem area, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be silenced from your phone.
- Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a useful report on your phone.
- Warns you of low batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching chirp in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the kind.
The only problem with using Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are sometimes much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many helpful and valuable features you won’t get in a non-smart device.
When you’re buying a new device, it’s important to know where to attach carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages placing a carbon monoxide detector at least five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is due to the fact carbon monoxide can rise with hot air.
We suggest having a detector on each floor of your house, especially outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be certain the beeping will wake you up.
Battery-Powered and Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Plug-in and battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors are the most affordable. A few of the most popular models are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have restricted features that aren’t compatible with your phone or smart home devices. They typically have a digital display and test button, which you’ll have to remember to use.
The National Fire Protection Association urges testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms once a month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in should be tested every week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly easy. Press the button to make sure your detector is working.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to swap the backup battery at least annually. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to change it once a month to avoid the dreaded chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re noticing noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping regularly, it often indicates it has a low battery. Or, it’s getting to the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors work depends on the brand you have. In general, it’s approximately 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your device’s manufacturer.
If you’re confused about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s frequently due to the fact it’s sensing high levels of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with constant, loud beeping, leave your residence as quickly as possible and contact 911.
Now is a great time to confirm your carbon monoxide detector is working like it’s supposed to before heating season starts. If you need to request furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Reach us at 407-329-7661 today and we’ll help you find the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your residence.