As autumn gets closer, now is an excellent time to get started thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season begins, the Centers for Disease Control says the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning goes up.
Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a result of combustion your gas furnace relies on to warm your residence. When your furnace is running as it should, the gas is securely transported outside of your home. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home, where ongoing exposure can be lethal.
Despite 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 visit the emergency room because of related issues, like 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, including your furnace and water heater, and using a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a model out there that fits for your residence and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it straightforward to remain in control for keeping your family safe. They’re usually sold 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 advantages of using them in your home:
- Alerts you that there’s a problem through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.
- Points out the problem spot, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be silenced from your phone.
- Automatically checks its sensors and batteries and shares findings through a useful report on your phone.
- Warns you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not a loud sound in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the kind.
The only issue with getting Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are often much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many beneficial and valuable features you won’t find in a non-smart device.
When you’re getting a new device, it’s important to understand where to place carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests installing a carbon monoxide detector around five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with heated air.
We suggest installing a detector on each floor of your home, including outside bedrooms. You’ll want to make sure 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 economical. A few of the most popular types are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have restricted features that aren’t compatible 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 encourages testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each 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 fairly easy. Use the button to make sure your detector is running.
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 skip the dreaded chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re hearing a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping regularly, 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 have. Typically, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to review 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 house immediately and dial 911.
Now is an excellent time to check your carbon monoxide detector is running as it should before heating season arrives. If you need to request furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Gordon's Service Experts can help. Contact us at 405-432-2197 today and we’ll help you pick the best carbon monoxide detector for your home.