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

As fall gets closer, now is a great time to start thinking about your house’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 harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a result of combustion your gas furnace uses to add warmth to your residence. When your heating is running properly, the gas is securely vented outside of your house. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to spill into your home, where prolonged exposure can be lethal. 

Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is escapable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die from it every year. And another approximately 50,000 people visit the emergency room due to related symptoms, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can help your loved ones is by organizing 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 out there that fits for your house and budget. 

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it straightforward to remain in control for keeping your family safe. They’re frequently offered as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be linked 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 trouble through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone. 
• Reveals the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement. 
• Can be quieted from your phone. 
• Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a full report on your phone. 
• Notifies you of dead 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 kind. 

The only problem with getting Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are often much pricier than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many beneficial and valuable features you don’t receive in a non-smart device. 

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

We advise having a detector on each floor of your house, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be 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. A few of the most popular types are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors. 

But they also have restricted 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 advises testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in should be tested weekly. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly easy. Depress the button to make sure your detector is functioning. 

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 replace it once a month to bypass 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 signals it has a low battery. Or, it’s getting to the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors work depends on the brand you use. In general, it’s approximately 5–10 years, but make sure to review instructions from your specific manufacturer. 

If you’re concerned about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s usually due to the fact it’s detected hazardous amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with steady, loud beeping, leave your house as quickly as possible and call 911. 

Now is a good time to check your carbon monoxide detector is working normally before heating season arrives. If you need to set up furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can provide support. Get in touch with us at 204-800-0613 today and we’ll help you pick the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your home.