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 potential of carbon monoxide poisoning builds.
Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a byproduct of combustion your gas furnace depends on to heat your house. When your heating is running as it should, the gas is securely pushed outside of your home. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to appear into your home, where ongoing exposure can be lethal.
Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. are killed by it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the hospital due to related ailments, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can safeguard your home is by setting up regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, like your furnace and water heater, and getting a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s an option on the market that matches for your residence and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it effortless to keep on top of keeping your home safe. They’re usually sold as combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can typically be linked with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other benefits of having them in your home:
- Alerts you that there’s an issue through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.
- Pinpoints the problem spot, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be silenced from your phone.
- Automatically reviews its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a comprehensive report on your phone.
- Alerts you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not an annoying sound in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the brand.
The only downside of having Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are frequently much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many beneficial and worthy features you can’t receive in a non-smart device.
When you’re buying a new device, it’s crucial to learn where to place carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends installing 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 warm air.
We encourage using a detector on each floor of your home, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to make sure 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 reasonable. A couple of the most popular styles 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 urges testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms once a month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in should be tested weekly. If you’re unsure how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty easy. Depress the button to make sure 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 swap it once a month to avoid the dreaded chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re hearing that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it usually signals it has a low battery. Or, it’s approaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors last depends on the brand you use. In general, it’s approximately 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your device’s manufacturer.
If you’re confused about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s detected high concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your residence immediately and dial 911.
Now is an excellent time to make sure your carbon monoxide detector is functioning like it’s supposed to before heating season arrives. If you need to request furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Teays Valley Service Experts can help. Contact us at 304-760-5088 today and we’ll help you select the best carbon monoxide detector for your residence.