As cooler weather approaches, now is a good time to begin thinking about your home’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season begins, the Centers for Disease Control says the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning goes up.
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a result of combustion your gas furnace relies on to add warmth to your home. When your heating is working properly, the gas is safely pushed outside of your residence. Fractures in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home, where prolonged exposure can be deadly.
Regardless of the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is escapable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it every year. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the hospital due to related symptoms, like headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can help your loved ones is by organizing annual 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 a solution on the market that fits for your residence and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it straightforward to stay on top of keeping your loved ones safe. They’re often offered as combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be linked with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other benefits of installing them in your house:
- Signals that there’s trouble through voice notifications, in addition to alerts on your phone.
- Reveals the problem area, 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.
- Informs you of low 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 often much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many useful and valuable features you can’t get in a non-smart device.
When you’re getting a new device, it’s vital to understand where to attach carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector around five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is due to the fact carbon monoxide can rise with hot air.
We advise using a detector on each floor of your house, especially outside bedrooms. You’ll want to make sure the alarm 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 limited features that aren’t compatible 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 encourages testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms every 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 straightforward. Press the button to be certain your detector is running.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to swap the backup battery at least every year. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to replace it once a month to bypass the dreaded chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re noticing a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it usually signals 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 have. Typically, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to read the instructions from your system’s manufacturer.
If you’re concerned about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s sensing high levels of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with constant, loud beeping, leave your home as quickly as possible and contact 911.
Now is a good time to check your carbon monoxide detector is functioning like it’s supposed to 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 Calverley Service Experts can provide support. Get in touch with us at 817-380-5647 today and we’ll help you select the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your house.