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

As cooler weather approaches, now is a good time to begin thinking about your house’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 hazardous 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 operating properly, the gas is safely pushed outside of your house. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to appear into your home, where prolonged exposure can be lethal.

Although carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die from it each year. And another approximately 50,000 people go to the emergency room thanks to related ailments, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting.

The best ways you can help your loved ones is by scheduling regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, such as your furnace and water heater, and installing a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s an option out there that fits for your home and budget.

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to keep on top of keeping your home safe. They’re usually sold as duo carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be used with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi.

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

• • Tells you there’s a problem through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone.

• • Locates the problem spot, such as the kitchen or basement.

• • Can be silenced from your phone.

• • Automatically checks its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a full report on your phone.

• • Informs you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not an annoying noise in the middle of the night.

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

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

When you’re installing a new device, it’s important to learn where to put carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector approximately five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with hot air.

We suggest having a detector on each floor of your house, including outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be certain the noise 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 couple of the most popular styles are Kidde carbon monoxide detectors and First Alert carbon monoxide detectors.

But they also have fewer 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 encourages testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms once a 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 straightforward. Press the button to be certain 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 irritating chirp in the middle of the night.

If you’re noticing that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping regularly, it often means it has a low battery. Or, it’s approaching the end of its life. How long carbon monoxide detectors last depends on the brand you have. Typically, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to check instructions from your system’s manufacturer.

If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s sensing hazardous amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with steady, loud beeping, leave your house immediately and call 911.

Now is an excellent time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is working normally before heating season arrives. If you need to request 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. Get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you pick the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your residence.