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

As cooler weather approaches, 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 depends on to heat your residence. When your heater is running like it’s supposed to, the gas is securely pushed 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 lethal. 

Despite the fact carbon monoxide poisoning is avoidable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people visit the ER thanks to related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

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

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it effortless to stay on top of keeping your home safe. They’re usually sold as combined carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can usually be linked with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi. 

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

• Tells you there’s trouble through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone. 
• Locates the problem spot, such as the kitchen or basement. 
• Can be quieted from your phone. 
• Automatically reviews its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a useful report on your phone. 
• Alerts 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 kind. 

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

When you’re buying a new device, it’s vital to know where to put 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 residence, especially outside bedrooms. You’ll want to make sure 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 affordable. A few of the most popular models 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 usually 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 once a month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested every week. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly straightforward. Depress the button to ensure your detector is working. 

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

If you’re getting a chirp or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping intermittently, it often indicates 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 have. In general, it’s approximately 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 likely due to the fact it’s detected high amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with constant, loud beeping, leave your residence right away and call 911. 

Now is a good time to check your carbon monoxide detector is functioning 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 assist you. Reach us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you select the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your house.