As cooler weather gets closer, now is a good time to start thinking about your house’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, the Centers for Disease Control says the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning increases.
Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a product of combustion your gas furnace relies on to heat your house. When your furnace is running properly, the gas is correctly transported outside of your house. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your house, where ongoing exposure can be fatal.
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 go to the ER due to related ailments, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can help your home is by organizing annual 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, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it effortless to keep on top of keeping your home safe. They’re frequently 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 residence:
- Alerts you that there’s trouble through voice notifications, in addition to alerts on your phone.
- Pinpoints the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be silenced from your phone.
- Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a useful report on your phone.
- Alerts you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching chirp 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 typically much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many useful and important features you don’t receive 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 at least five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is due to the fact carbon monoxide can rise with hot air.
We suggest using a detector on each floor of your house, especially 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 few of the most popular models 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 generally 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 once a week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s more or less easy. Depress the button to ensure your detector is functioning.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to swap the backup battery at least once a year. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to change it once a month to bypass the dreaded chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re hearing that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it generally means it has a low battery. Or, it’s getting to the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors run depends on the brand you own. Most often, it’s between 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your specific manufacturer.
If you’re confused about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s usually due to the fact it’s picking up high amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with constant, loud beeping, leave your home as quickly as possible and call 911.
Now is a good time to check your carbon monoxide detector is functioning as it should before heating season begins. If you need to schedule furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Sunbeam Service Experts can help. Contact us at 716-427-6807 today and we’ll help you find the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your residence.