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

As autumn arrives, now is a great time to start thinking about your house’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 product of combustion your gas furnace depends on to add warmth to your residence. When your furnace is running as it should, the gas is securely transported outside of your residence. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep 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. are killed by it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the emergency room thanks to related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can help your home is by setting up regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, including your furnace and water heater, and using a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a model available 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 home safe. They’re frequently offered as combined carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be used with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi. 

Here are a few other benefits of installing them in your residence: 

• 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 silenced from your phone. 
• Automatically checks its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a comprehensive report on your phone. 
• Alerts you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching sound in the middle of the night. 

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

The only downside of using Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the cost. These detectors are sometimes much pricier than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many helpful and worthy features you can’t get in a non-smart device. 

When you’re getting a new device, it’s crucial to learn 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 because carbon monoxide can rise with hot air. 

We recommend installing a detector on each floor of your residence, 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 styles 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 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 weekly. If you’re concerned about how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty easy. Press the button to make sure your detector is running. 

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 annoying chirp in the middle of the night. 

If you’re noticing noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping regularly, it usually signals it has a low battery. Or, it’s approaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors work depends on the brand you use. In general, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your system’s manufacturer. 

If you’re concerned about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s often due to the fact it’s detected hazardous concentration 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 an excellent time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is working as it should before heating season starts. If you need to set up furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Calverley Service Experts can assist you. Contact us at 817-380-5647 today and we’ll help you select the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your residence.