Smart vs. Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detectors: How to Select the Best Carbon Monoxide Detector for Your House
As cooler weather arrives, now is a good time to get started thinking about your home’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season is underway, the Centers for Disease Control says the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning goes up.
Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a product of combustion your gas furnace depends on to heat your home. When your heating is working like it’s supposed to, the gas is safely transported outside of your residence. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your residence, where prolonged exposure can be deadly.
Regardless of the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people visit the hospital because of related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.
The best ways you can protect your home is by setting up regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, such as your furnace and water heater, and getting a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a model available that matches for your home and budget.
Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smart carbon monoxide detectors, like the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it effortless to keep on top of keeping your family safe. They’re often available as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can typically be used with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.
Here are a few other advantages of using them in your residence:
- Alerts you that there’s something wrong through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.
- Locates the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement.
- Can be silenced from your phone.
- Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a full report on your phone.
- Informs you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching noise in the middle of the night.
- Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the type.
The only problem with installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the cost. These detectors are typically much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many helpful and worthy features you don’t receive in a non-smart device.
When you’re buying a new device, it’s crucial to know where to put carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends placing a carbon monoxide detector approximately 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 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 economical. A few of the most popular models are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.
But they also have limited features that aren’t compatible 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 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 pretty easy. Press the button to be certain your detector is running.
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 replace it once a month to avoid the irritating chirp in the middle of the night.
If you’re noticing a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping regularly, it usually indicates it has a low battery. Or, it’s getting to the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors last depends on the brand you have. Typically, it’s approximately 5–10 years, but make sure to read the instructions from your system’s manufacturer.
If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s often due to the fact it’s sensing hazardous levels of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continuous, loud beeping, leave your home as quickly as possible and call 911.
Now is an excellent time to make sure your carbon monoxide detector is running as it should before heating season starts. If you need to request furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Atmostemp Service Experts can provide support. Get in touch with us at 856-310-4824 today and we’ll help you pick the best carbon monoxide detector for your residence.
