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

As cooler weather gets closer, now is a good time to start thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season begins, the Centers for Disease Control says the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning builds.

Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a product of combustion your gas furnace uses to warm your home. When your heater is working as it should, the gas is safely vented outside of your home. Fractures 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 preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the ER thanks to related ailments, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting.

The best ways you can help your loved ones is by scheduling 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 an option on the market to work for your house and budget.

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

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

Here are a few other advantages of using them in your home:

Alerts you that there’s trouble through voice notifications, in addition to 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.
Notifies you of dying 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 downside of using Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the cost. These detectors are frequently much pricier than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also provide many useful and important features you can’t find in a non-smart device.

When you’re installing a new device, it’s important to learn where to attach 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 warm air.

We advise having a detector on each floor of your home, including 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 reasonable. Some of the most popular models are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.

But they also have restricted 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 suggests testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested weekly. If you’re unsure how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly straightforward. Depress the button to ensure your detector is running.

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 replace it once a month to avoid the annoying chirp in the middle of the night.

If you’re hearing a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, it usually means 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 own. Most often, it’s approximately 5–10 years, but make sure to check instructions from your system’s manufacturer.

If you’re confused about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s often due to the fact it’s detecting hazardous concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your home immediately and dial 911.

Now is a good time to make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working properly 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 Midway Services can help. Contact us at 727-219-2471 today and we’ll help you select the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your home.