As autumn approaches, now is a great time to start thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, the Centers for Disease Control says the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning builds.
Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a result of combustion your gas furnace depends on to add warmth to your residence. When your heating is working as it should, the gas is safely transported outside of your house. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your house, where long-term exposure can be lethal.
Although carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it each year. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the ER because of related symptoms, like headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can protect your loved ones is by organizing regular 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 fits for your home and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, like the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it straightforward to stay on top of keeping your family safe. They’re often available as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be synced with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other benefits of installing them in your home:
- Alerts you that there’s trouble through voice notifications, in addition to alerts on your phone.
- Points out the problem spot, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be silenced from your phone.
- Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and shares findings through a comprehensive report on your phone.
- Alerts you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not a loud sound in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the type.
The only problem with using 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 provide many beneficial and important features you can’t find in a non-smart device.
When you’re getting a new device, it’s crucial to understand where to attach carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends placing a carbon monoxide detector around five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with hot air.
We recommend having a detector on each floor of your home, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to make 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 economical. A couple of the most popular styles are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have restricted features that don’t link 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 suggests testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested weekly. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly straightforward. Depress the button to be certain your detector is functioning.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to replace the backup battery at least annually. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to replace it once a month to bypass the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re getting a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, it often signals it has a low battery. Or, it’s getting to the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors last depends on the brand you have. Typically, it’s around 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 often due to the fact it’s sensing hazardous amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continuous, loud beeping, leave your home immediately and contact 911.
Now is a great time to confirm your carbon monoxide detector is running as it should before heating season arrives. If you need to set up furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Komfort Air can help. Contact us at 704-705-8135 today and we’ll help you find the best carbon monoxide detector for your house.