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

As cooler weather gets closer, now is an excellent time to begin thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season begins, the Centers for Disease Control says the risk 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 relies on to heat your home. When your heating is working as it should, the gas is correctly pushed outside of your residence. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your house, where prolonged exposure can be lethal.

Regardless of 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 thanks to related ailments, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting.

The best ways you can protect your loved ones is by scheduling yearly 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 solution available that fits for your residence and budget.

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, like the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to keep on top of keeping your family safe. They’re usually available as combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can typically be synced with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.

Here are a few other benefits of installing them in your house:

• • Alerts you that there’s something wrong through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.

• • Points out the problem spot, such as the kitchen or basement.

• • Can be shut off from your phone.

• • Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a useful report on your phone.

• • Alerts you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not a loud sound in the middle of the night.

• • Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the brand.

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

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

We advise using a detector on each floor of your residence, especially outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be 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 couple of the most popular styles are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.

But they also have fewer 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 urges testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms every 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 more or less simple. Use the button to be certain your detector is working.

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

If you’re hearing noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, it often indicates it has a low battery. Or, it’s reaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors last depends on the brand you use. In general, it’s between 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 frequently due to the fact it’s sensing high concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continuous, loud beeping, leave your residence immediately and dial 911.

Now is an excellent time to make sure your carbon monoxide detector is running 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 help. Get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you pick the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your home.