As autumn arrives, now is a great time to get started 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 increases.
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a byproduct of combustion your gas furnace uses to add warmth to your residence. When your heater is operating as it should, the gas is securely pushed outside of your residence. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to spill into your home, where ongoing exposure can be lethal.
Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is avoidable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die from it each year. And another approximately 50,000 people go to the emergency room thanks to related issues, like headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can protect your home is by setting up 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 an option out there that fits for your house and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it straightforward to stay on top of keeping your loved ones safe. They’re usually offered as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be synced with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other perks of installing them in your house:
- Alerts you that there’s an issue through voice notifications, in addition to 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 explains findings through a comprehensive report on your phone.
- Alerts you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not an annoying noise in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the brand.
The only issue with installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price tag. These detectors are frequently much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many useful and important features you don’t get in a non-smart device.
When you’re getting a new device, it’s important to learn where to place 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 encourage having a detector on each floor of your house, as well as 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 limited 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 advises testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in should be tested every week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty simple. Depress the button to make sure your detector is functioning.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to swap the backup battery at least annually. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to replace it once a month to avoid the irritating chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re hearing that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping regularly, it generally signals it has a low battery. Or, it’s reaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors last depends on the brand you own. In general, it’s approximately 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your specific manufacturer.
If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s usually due to the fact it’s detecting high levels of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with steady, loud beeping, leave your home immediately and contact 911.
Now is a good time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is running properly before heating season begins. If you need to set up furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Broad Ripple Service Experts can help. Reach us at 317-527-0271 today and we’ll help you find the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your house.