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

As autumn gets closer, now is an excellent time to start 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 dangerous gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a product of combustion your gas furnace relies on to add warmth to your home. When your furnace is working as it should, the gas is securely transported outside of your home. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to spill into your house, where ongoing exposure can be fatal. 

Regardless of 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 are transported to the hospital thanks to related issues, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can safeguard your home is by scheduling regular maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, including your furnace and water heater, and using a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a model out there to work for your house and budget. 

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it simple to keep on top of keeping your loved ones safe. They’re often available as dual-purpose carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can typically be synced with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi. 

Here are a few other perks of using them in your house: 

• Signals that there’s trouble through voice notifications, in addition to alerts on your phone. 
• Reveals the problem area, such as the kitchen or basement. 
• Can be silenced from your phone. 
• Automatically reviews its sensors and batteries and reveals findings through a useful report on your phone. 
• Alerts you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching noise in the middle of the night. 

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

The only issue with getting Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the cost. These detectors are typically much pricier than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many useful and worthy features you won’t find in a non-smart device. 

When you’re buying a new device, it’s crucial to understand where to attach carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages placing a carbon monoxide detector at least five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is because carbon monoxide can rise with heated air. 

We recommend installing a detector on each floor of your home, especially outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be 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. Some 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 link with your phone or smart home devices. They typically 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 every month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in need to be tested every week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly simple. Depress the button to make sure your detector is running. 

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

If you’re noticing that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it usually 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 have. Most often, it’s between 5–10 years, but make sure to check instructions from your specific manufacturer. 

If you’re concerned about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s often due to the fact it’s sensing hazardous levels of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your residence as quickly as possible and call 911. 

Now is a good time to make sure your carbon monoxide detector is functioning like it’s supposed to before heating season starts. If you need to set up furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. Reach us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you select the best carbon monoxide detector for your residence.