As fall gets closer, now is a good time to get started thinking about your house’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season is underway, the Centers for Disease Control says the risk 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 relies on to heat your home. When your heater is running like it’s supposed to, the gas is securely transported outside of your residence. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to spill into your residence, where prolonged exposure can be deadly.
Although carbon monoxide poisoning is escapable, 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 thanks to related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can protect your home is by organizing yearly maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, like your furnace and water heater, and getting a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a solution out there that fits for your residence and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it simple to keep on top of keeping your family safe. They’re often sold as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be used with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other advantages of having them in your home:
- Alerts you that there’s a problem 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.
- Notifies you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not an annoying sound in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the brand.
The only problem with using Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are often much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many beneficial and worthy features you don’t receive in a non-smart device.
When you’re buying a new device, it’s crucial to understand where to place carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends installing 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 warm air.
We advise using a detector on each floor of your residence, especially outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be sure 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 economical. A couple of the most popular models are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have fewer features that aren’t compatible with your phone or smart home devices. They generally have a digital display and test button, which you’ll have to remember to use.
The National Fire Protection Association advises testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms once a month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested once a week. If you’re concerned about how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s more or less easy. Depress the button to be certain your detector is running.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to change the backup battery at least once a year. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to swap it once a month to avoid the dreaded chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re getting noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it often indicates it has a low battery. Or, it’s approaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors last depends on the brand you use. Typically, it’s between 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 usually due to the fact it’s sensing dangerous concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your residence as quickly as possible and contact 911.
Now is a great time to check your carbon monoxide detector is working properly 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 Strogen's Service Experts can provide support. Reach us at 603-923-4570 today and we’ll help you pick the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your home.