As fall arrives, now is an excellent time to begin thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season is underway, the Centers for Disease Control says the likelihood 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 house. When your heater is working as it should, the gas is safely transported outside of your residence. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your residence, where ongoing exposure can be deadly.
Although carbon monoxide poisoning is avoidable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the emergency room due to related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can protect your family is by setting up regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, including your furnace and water heater, and getting a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s an option out there that fits for your home and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it effortless to stay on top of keeping your loved ones safe. They’re frequently sold as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be linked with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other advantages of using them in your house:
- Signals that there’s something wrong through voice notifications, plus alerts on your phone.
- Locates the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be shut off from your phone.
- Automatically reviews its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a full report on your phone.
- Warns you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching noise in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the kind.
The only issue with installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price. These detectors are often much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many beneficial and important features you don’t get in a non-smart device.
When you’re buying a new device, it’s vital to know where to attach carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector approximately five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with warm air.
We advise installing a detector on each floor of your house, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be certain the noise 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 types 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 tend to have a digital display and test button, which you’ll have to remember to use.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in need to be tested every week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly simple. Press the button to make sure your detector is functioning.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to replace the backup battery at least every year. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to swap it once a month to bypass the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re hearing a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it generally indicates it has a low battery. Or, it’s reaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors run depends on the brand you have. Typically, it’s between 5–10 years, but make sure to check instructions from your system’s manufacturer.
If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s sensing dangerous concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with constant, loud beeping, leave your residence right away and contact 911.
Now is an excellent time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is functioning normally before heating season starts. If you need to schedule furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Roland J. Down Service Experts can assist you. Contact us at 518-417-2938 today and we’ll help you find the best carbon monoxide detector for your residence.