As cooler weather gets closer, now is a good time to begin thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, the Centers for Disease Control says the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning builds.
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a result of combustion your gas furnace relies on to heat your house. When your furnace is working like it’s supposed to, the gas is securely moved outside of your house. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to appear into your residence, where prolonged exposure can be lethal.
Although carbon monoxide poisoning is escapable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. are killed by it every year. And another approximately 50,000 people go to the hospital because of related symptoms, like headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can protect your family is by scheduling annual 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 an option available that fits for your home and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it simple to remain in control for keeping your loved ones safe. They’re often available as dual-purpose 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 residence:
- 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 silenced from your phone.
- Automatically reviews its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a useful report on your phone.
- Informs you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not an annoying chirp in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the brand.
The only issue with getting Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the cost. These detectors are typically much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also provide many helpful and valuable features you don’t receive in a non-smart device.
When you’re installing a new device, it’s important to learn where to place carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests placing a carbon monoxide detector at least five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is due to the fact carbon monoxide can rise with heated air.
We advise using a detector on each floor of your home, 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 economical. A couple of the most popular models 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 encourages testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms once a 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 more or less straightforward. Depress the button to ensure 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 skip the dreaded chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re hearing noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, 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 around 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your specific manufacturer.
If you’re concerned about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s detected dangerous concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your residence immediately and call 911.
Now is a good time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is working properly before heating season arrives. If you need to schedule furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Falso Service Experts can provide support. Get in touch with us at 315-313-6531 today and we’ll help you select the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your house.