As autumn arrives, now is a good time to begin thinking about your house’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, the Centers for Disease Control says the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning increases.
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a byproduct of combustion your gas furnace uses to heat your residence. When your heating is running as it should, the gas is correctly moved outside of your house. 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 deadly.
Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. are killed by it each year. And another approximately 50,000 people go to the emergency room 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, like your furnace and water heater, and using a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s an option on the market that fits for your home and budget.
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, like the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it effortless to stay on top of keeping your loved ones safe. They’re frequently available 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 using them in your house:
The only problem with installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price. These detectors are frequently much pricier than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also provide many beneficial and important features you don’t find in a non-smart device.
When you’re installing a new device, it’s important to know where to attach 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 hot air.
We suggest installing a detector on each floor of your home, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be certain the beeping will wake you up.
Plug-in and battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors are the most economical. A couple of the most popular types are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have limited features that don’t work 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 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 fairly easy. Use the button to make sure your detector is running.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to swap the backup battery at least every 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 noticing noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, 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 use. Most often, 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 usually due to the fact it’s detected hazardous amounts 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 great time to check 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can provide support. Get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you pick the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your residence.
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