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

As autumn arrives, now is a great time to get started thinking about your home’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 result of combustion your gas furnace depends on to add warmth to your house. When your heating is working properly, the gas is safely moved outside of your home. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your house, where prolonged exposure can be fatal.

Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it every year. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the emergency room because of related issues, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.

The best ways you can protect your family is by scheduling regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, such as 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 matches for your residence and budget.

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to stay on top of keeping your loved ones safe. They’re frequently available as combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be used with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.

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

• • Signals that there’s a problem through voice notifications, plus alerts on your phone.

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

• • Can be silenced from your phone.

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

• • Alerts you of dead 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 downside of using Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are sometimes much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many helpful and worthy features you can’t receive in a non-smart device.

When you’re buying a new device, it’s important to understand where to put carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages installing 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 heated air.

We suggest using a detector on each floor of your house, including 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 few 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 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 once a week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty straightforward. Press the button to make sure your detector is working.

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

If you’re getting a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, it usually indicates 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 use. Typically, it’s approximately 5–10 years, but make sure to read the instructions from your specific manufacturer.

If you’re confused about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s picking up dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with constant, loud beeping, leave your residence right away and contact 911.

Now is a good time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is running as it should before heating season starts. 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 help. Reach us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you pick the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your home.