Smart vs. Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detectors: How to Select the Best Carbon Monoxide Detector for Your Home

As autumn arrives, now is a good time to begin thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season is underway, the Centers for Disease Control says the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning builds.

Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a byproduct of combustion your gas furnace relies on to warm your residence. When your heating is operating as it should, the gas is correctly transported outside of your house. Fractures in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to appear into your house, where prolonged exposure can be fatal.

Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. are killed by it each year. And another approximately 50,000 people go to the hospital due to related issues, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.

The best ways you can safeguard your loved ones is by scheduling 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 solution on the market that matches for your home and budget.

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it simple to keep on top of keeping your home safe. They’re frequently sold as combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can typically be synced with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.

Here are a few other benefits of using them in your home:

• • Tells you there’s a problem through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.

• • Pinpoints the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement.

• • Can be shut off from your phone.

• • Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and shares findings through a comprehensive report on your phone.

• • Informs you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not a loud chirp in the middle of the night.

• • Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the type.

The only downside of having Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price. These detectors are sometimes much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many helpful and important features you won’t get in a non-smart device.

When you’re installing a new device, it’s important to learn where to attach carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages installing a carbon monoxide detector around five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with warm air.

We suggest having a detector on each floor of your house, including outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be sure 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 reasonable. A couple of the most popular models are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.

But they also have restricted features that don’t work 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 encourages testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in should be tested weekly. If you’re concerned about how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty straightforward. Use the button to be certain your detector is running.

If your detector is hardwired, make sure to change the backup battery at least every year. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to replace it once a month to avoid the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.

If you’re hearing noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it generally means 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 approximately 5–10 years, but make sure to read the instructions from your specific manufacturer.

If you’re concerned about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s detected hazardous concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your home right away and call 911.

Now is an excellent time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is working normally before heating season begins. 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 & Plumbing can assist you. Get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you select the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your house.