Smart vs. Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detectors: How to Get the Best Carbon Monoxide Detector for Your Home

As autumn gets closer, now is an excellent time to start thinking about your residence’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 byproduct of combustion your gas furnace relies on to heat your house. When your furnace is operating like it’s supposed to, the gas is securely transported outside of your residence. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to appear into your house, where ongoing exposure can be lethal.

Regardless of 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 visit the emergency room because of related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.

The best ways you can protect your loved ones is by organizing yearly 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 out there to work for your home and budget.

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it straightforward to stay on top of keeping your home safe. They’re often sold as combined carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be linked with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.

Here are a few other perks of using them in your residence:

• • Tells you there’s an issue through voice notifications, in addition to alerts on your phone.

• • Pinpoints the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement.

• • Can be quieted from your phone.

• • Automatically checks its sensors and batteries and shares findings through a full report on your phone.

• • Informs you of dying 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 kind.

The only problem with using Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price tag. These detectors are frequently much pricier than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also provide many helpful and important features you won’t get in a non-smart device.

When you’re installing a new device, it’s crucial to learn where to put carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages putting a carbon monoxide detector approximately five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with warm air.

We suggest using a detector on each floor of your house, including 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 reasonable. A few of the most popular styles 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 typically 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 each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested every week. If you’re unsure how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly easy. Press the button to ensure your detector is running.

If your detector is hardwired, make sure to replace the backup battery at least annually. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to change it once a month to bypass the irritating chirp in the middle of the night.

If you’re hearing that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it often signals it has a low battery. Or, it’s approaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors run depends on the brand you own. Typically, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your specific manufacturer.

If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s often due to the fact it’s detecting hazardous amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with constant, loud beeping, leave your house as quickly as possible and contact 911.

Now is an excellent time to make sure your carbon monoxide detector is running normally 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can provide support. Contact us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you find the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your home.