As autumn approaches, now is an excellent time to get started thinking about your home’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, 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 byproduct of combustion your gas furnace uses to warm your residence. When your heating is working as it should, the gas is safely vented outside of your home. Fractures in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home, where long-term exposure can be deadly.
Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is avoidable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people visit the emergency room because of related ailments, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can safeguard your family is by setting up annual maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, such as 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 matches for your house and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to stay on top of keeping your home safe. They’re frequently offered as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can typically be synced with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other advantages of having them in your residence:
- Tells you there’s a problem through voice notifications, in addition to alerts on your phone.
- Reveals the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be silenced from your phone.
- Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a full report on your phone.
- Warns you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not a loud noise in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the kind.
The only problem with installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price. These detectors are often much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also provide many beneficial and valuable features you don’t find in a non-smart device.
When you’re buying a new device, it’s important to learn where to place carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages putting a carbon monoxide detector around five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with warm air.
We recommend having a detector on each floor of your home, including 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 economical. A couple of the most popular types 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 usually have a digital display and test button, which you’ll have to remember to use.
The National Fire Protection Association urges testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested weekly. If you’re unsure how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty simple. Press the button to make sure 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 avoid the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re hearing a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, it usually means it has a low battery. Or, it’s reaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors work depends on the brand you use. Most often, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to read the instructions from your system’s manufacturer.
If you’re confused about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s detected hazardous amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continuous, loud beeping, leave your residence right away and contact 911.
Now is an excellent time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is running normally before heating season starts. If you need to request furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can assist you. Contact us at 901-235-1196 today and we’ll help you select the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your home.