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

As autumn gets closer, now is an excellent time to get started thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season begins, 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 byproduct of combustion your gas furnace uses to add warmth to your home. When your heater is working like it’s supposed to, the gas is safely transported outside of your home. Fractures in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your house, where ongoing exposure can be fatal. 

Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is escapable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die from it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the emergency room thanks to related ailments, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can protect your loved ones is by setting up 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 a solution out there that matches for your residence and budget. 

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, like the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it effortless to remain in control for keeping your home safe. They’re frequently available as combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be synced with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi. 

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

  • Signals that there’s trouble through voice notifications, in addition to alerts on your phone. 
  • Points out the problem area, such as the kitchen or basement. 
  • Can be shut off from your phone. 
  • Automatically checks its sensors and batteries and shares findings through a comprehensive report on your phone. 
  • Notifies you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not an annoying chirp in the middle of the night. 
  • Lasts up to 10 years, depending on the kind. 

The only downside of installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price tag. These detectors are often much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many beneficial and valuable features you don’t get in a non-smart device. 

When you’re installing a new device, it’s crucial to learn where to place carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends installing 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 hot air. 

We recommend using a detector on each floor of your house, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to make sure 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 affordable. Some of the most popular types are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors. 

But they also have fewer features that aren’t compatible 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 advises testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms once a month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in need to be tested every week. If you’re concerned about how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly simple. Depress the button to be certain your detector is working. 

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

If you’re getting noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it often signals it has a low battery. Or, it’s reaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors run depends on the brand you use. In general, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your device’s manufacturer. 

If you’re concerned about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s often due to the fact it’s detected high concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your house as quickly as possible and contact 911. 

Now is a good time to make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working as it should before heating season begins. 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 assist you. Reach us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you select the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your house. 

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