As cooler weather arrives, now is an excellent time to get started thinking about your house’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 hazardous gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a byproduct of combustion your gas furnace depends on to add warmth to your home. When your heating is running like it’s supposed to, the gas is correctly transported outside of your house. Fractures in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your residence, 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. are killed by it every year. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the emergency room due to related ailments, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can help your loved ones is by scheduling yearly maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, like your furnace and water heater, and using a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a model on the market that matches for your home and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to stay on top of keeping your loved ones safe. They’re frequently offered as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be synced with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other benefits of having them in your house:
- Alerts you that there’s a problem through voice notifications, plus alerts on your phone.
- Points out the problem area, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be shut off from your phone.
- Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a comprehensive report on your phone.
- Notifies you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching noise in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the kind.
The only downside of installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the cost. These detectors are frequently much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also provide many beneficial and valuable features you can’t get in a non-smart device.
When you’re buying a new device, it’s vital to understand where to attach carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends putting 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 warm air.
We encourage installing a detector on each floor of your house, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be certain 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 couple of the most popular types are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have fewer features that don’t link with your phone or smart home devices. They generally 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 should be tested once a week. If you’re concerned about how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly easy. Depress the button to make sure your detector is working.
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 change it once a month to bypass the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re noticing noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping regularly, it generally means it has a low battery. Or, it’s approaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors run depends on the brand you have. Most often, it’s between 5–10 years, but make sure to check instructions from your specific manufacturer.
If you’re confused about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s often 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 house right away and dial 911.
Now is a good time to check your carbon monoxide detector is functioning like it’s supposed to before heating season arrives. If you need to set up furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Orangutan Home Services can assist you. Contact us at 602-906-0111 today and we’ll help you find the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your house.