Smart vs. Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detectors: How to Select the Best Carbon Monoxide Detector for Your Residence
As autumn gets closer, now is a great time to start thinking about your house’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 product of combustion your gas furnace uses to warm your residence. When your heating is operating as it should, the gas is safely moved outside of your residence. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your residence, where long-term exposure can be lethal.
Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is avoidable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people go to the emergency room due to related issues, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can help your loved ones is by organizing regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, including your furnace and water heater, and using a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s an option available that matches for your home and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to keep on top of keeping your home 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 using them in your home:
- Signals that there’s trouble through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.
- Locates the problem spot, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be silenced from your phone.
- Automatically reviews its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a comprehensive report on your phone.
- Alerts you of dying 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 problem with having Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price. These detectors are sometimes much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include 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 understand where to place carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages placing a carbon monoxide detector around five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is due to the fact carbon monoxide can rise with warm air.
We recommend installing a detector on each floor of your residence, especially 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 economical. Some of the most popular types are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have fewer features that don’t link 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 recommends testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested once a week. If you’re unsure how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly easy. Depress the button to be certain your detector is functioning.
If your detector is hardwired, make sure to change the backup battery at least every year. If it’s battery-powered, you’ll want to change it once a month to bypass the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re noticing a chirp 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 work depends on the brand you use. Typically, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to read the 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 detected hazardous levels of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your house as quickly as possible and dial 911.
Now is a great time to confirm your carbon monoxide detector is working normally 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 Church Services can provide support. Get in touch with us at 713-396-3760 today and we’ll help you pick the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your home.