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

As autumn approaches, now is a great time to begin thinking about your home’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season is underway, the Centers for Disease Control says the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning goes up. 

Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a byproduct of combustion your gas furnace depends on to warm your house. When your heating is working properly, the gas is safely transported outside of your home. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your home, where long-term exposure can be deadly. 

Regardless of the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. are killed by it each year. And another approximately 50,000 people go to the ER thanks to related ailments, like headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can protect your family is by setting up regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, like your furnace and water heater, and installing a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s an option on the market that matches for your home and budget. 

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to remain in control for keeping your home safe. They’re frequently sold as dual-purpose carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can typically be used with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi. 

Here are a few other benefits of having them in your home: 

• Tells you there’s an issue through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone. 
• Points out the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement. 
• Can be shut off from your phone. 
• Automatically checks its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a full report on your phone. 
• Informs you of low batteries with an alert on your phone, not a loud noise in the middle of the night. 

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

The only problem with installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are typically much higher-priced than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many beneficial and important features you won’t receive in a non-smart device. 

When you’re getting a new device, it’s vital to learn where to place 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 due to the fact carbon monoxide can rise with warm air. 

We recommend installing a detector on each floor of your house, especially outside bedrooms. You’ll want to make 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 reasonable. A few of the most popular styles 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 tend to 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 ought to be tested once a week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly straightforward. Depress the button to make sure your detector is functioning. 

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

If you’re hearing noise or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it usually means 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 have. In general, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to read the instructions from your specific manufacturer. 

If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s frequently due to the fact it’s detecting high concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continuous, loud beeping, leave your residence 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 schedule furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can provide support. Reach us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you pick the best carbon monoxide detector for your home.