As autumn gets closer, now is a great time to begin thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, the Centers for Disease Control says the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases.
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a result of combustion your gas furnace uses to warm your house. When your heater is working as it should, the gas is safely moved outside of your residence. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your home, where long-term exposure can be fatal.
Regardless of the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it every year. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the hospital thanks to related ailments, like headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can protect your loved ones is by setting up yearly maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, including your furnace and water heater, and installing a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a model available that matches for your residence and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, like the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to remain in control for keeping your family safe. They’re frequently available as combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be used with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other advantages of having them in your home:
- Signals that there’s something wrong through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.
- Points out the problem area, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be shut off from your phone.
- Automatically reviews its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a comprehensive report on your phone.
- Warns you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not a loud chirp in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the brand.
The only downside of using Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price. These detectors are often much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also provide many beneficial and valuable features you don’t get 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 recommends placing a carbon monoxide detector approximately five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with heated air.
We suggest having a detector on each floor of your home, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be sure the noise will wake you up.
Battery-Powered and Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Plug-in and battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors are the most reasonable. A few of the most popular models are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have limited 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 suggests testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms once a month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in need to be tested weekly. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty easy. Press the button to make sure your detector is running.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to change the backup battery at least annually. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to change it once a month to avoid the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re getting that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it generally means it has a low battery. Or, it’s reaching 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 check instructions from your device’s manufacturer.
If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s frequently due to the fact it’s sensing high amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continuous, loud beeping, leave your residence right away and call 911.
Now is a great time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is working normally before heating season starts. If you need to set up furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Contact us at 352-414-4006 today and we’ll help you select the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your home.