As cooler weather gets closer, now is an excellent time to start thinking about your house’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, the Centers for Disease Control says the potential 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 uses to warm your home. When your furnace is operating as it should, the gas is correctly pushed outside of your home. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to spill into your home, where prolonged exposure can be lethal.
Although 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 hospital thanks to related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can help your family is by organizing annual 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 an option on the market that matches for your house and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it simple to remain in control for keeping your home safe. They’re frequently offered as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be linked with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other advantages of having them in your residence:
- Alerts you that there’s an issue through voice notifications, plus alerts on your phone.
- Points out the problem area, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be quieted from your phone.
- Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a useful report on your phone.
- Informs you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching sound in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the type.
The only issue with installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price. These detectors are frequently much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also provide many helpful and important features you can’t get in a non-smart device.
When you’re getting 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 because carbon monoxide can rise with heated air.
We encourage installing a detector on each floor of your house, as well as 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 affordable. Some 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 work 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 once a month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested every week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s more or less easy. Press the button to ensure your detector is functioning.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to change the backup battery at least annually. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to replace it once a month to skip the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re hearing a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it often means it has a low battery. Or, it’s getting to the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors work depends on the brand you have. In general, 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 frequently due to the fact it’s detected hazardous concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with steady, loud beeping, leave your home right away and contact 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 San Antonio Air Service Experts can help. Reach us at 210-570-9705 today and we’ll help you select the best carbon monoxide detector for your home.