Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Ultimate Guide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a potentially hazardous gas found in the home. Nicknamed the “silent killer,” CO gas is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating, yet it can result in unconsciousness, brain damage or death. Because of this, more than 400 people die of accidental carbon monoxide influence each year, a larger fatality rate than any other type of poisoning.

While the weather gets colder, you seal your home for the winter and count on heating appliances to remain warm. These situations are when the danger of carbon monoxide inhalation is highest. Fortunately you can protect your family from carbon monoxide in different ways. One of the most effective methods is to put in CO detectors around your home. Check out this guide to better understand where carbon monoxide comes from and how to make the most of your CO detectors.

What causes carbon monoxide in a house?

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of something burned. Therefore, this gas is generated whenever a fuel source burns, like natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, gasoline, woo, and more. Common causes of carbon monoxide in a house include:

• Clogged clothes dryer vent

• Broken down water heater
• Furnace or boiler with a damaged heat exchanger
• Closed fireplace flue during an active fire
• Improperly vented gas or wood stove
• Vehicle sitting in the garage

• Portable generator, grill, power tool or lawn equipment operating in the garage

Do smoke detectors recognize carbon monoxide?

No, smoke detectors do not detect carbon monoxide. Instead, they sound an alarm when they sense a certain amount of smoke generated by a fire. Having reliable smoke detectors lowers the risk of dying in a house fire by about 55 percent.

Smoke detectors are offered in two primary modes—ionization detectors and photoelectric detectors. Ionization detection works best with quick-moving fires that emit large flames, while photoelectric models are more suited for smoldering, smoky fires. Some newer smoke detectors incorporate both types of alarms in a solitary unit to increase the chance of responding to a fire, despite how it burns.

Clearly, smoke detectors and CO alarms are both essential home safety devices. If you look up at the ceiling and find an alarm of some kind, you might not recognize whether it’s a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide alarm. The visual contrast is determined by the brand and model you want. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Quality devices are clearly labeled. If not, look for a brand and model number on the back of the detector and find it online. You can also find a manufacture date. If the device is more than a decade old, replace it as soon as possible.
• Plug-in devices that use power with an outlet are generally carbon monoxide will be labeled as such.
• Some alarms are really two-in-one, detecting both smoke and carbon monoxide with an indicator light for each. Still, it can be tough to tell with no label on the front, so reviewing the manufacturing details on the back is worthwhile.

How many carbon monoxide detectors should I install in my home?

The number of CO alarms you need depends on your home’s size, number of floors and the number of bedrooms. Follow these guidelines to ensure thorough coverage:

• Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms: CO gas leaks are most likely at night when furnaces must run constantly to keep your home warm. Therefore, all bedrooms should have a carbon monoxide detector installed about 15 feet of the door. If two bedroom doors are less than 30 feet apart, just one detector is adequate.
• Install detectors on every floor: Dense carbon monoxide gas can become trapped on a single floor of your home, so try to have at least one CO detector on each floor.
• Install detectors within 10 feet of the internal garage door: Many people accidentally leave their cars on in the garage, leading to dangerous carbon monoxide gas, even when the large garage door is completely open. A CO alarm right inside the door—and in the room up above the garage—alerts you of increased carbon monoxide levels within your home.
• Install detectors at the correct height: Carbon monoxide is a similar density as air, but it’s commonly carried along with the hot air produced by combustion appliances. Putting in detectors close to the ceiling is best to catch this rising air. Models with digital readouts are best installed at eye level to keep them easy to read.
• Install detectors about 15 feet from combustion appliances: Some fuel-burning machines produce a tiny, non-toxic amount of carbon monoxide at startup. This breaks up quickly, but when a CO detector is positioned too close, it may give off false alarms.

• Have detectors away from high heat and humidity: Carbon monoxide detectors have specific tolerances for heat and humidity. To minimize false alarms, don’t install them in bathrooms, in harsh sunlight, around air vents, or close to heat-generating appliances.

How do I test/troubleshoot a carbon monoxide sensor?

Depending on the model, the manufacturer might suggest testing once a month and resetting to ensure proper functionality. Also, swap out the batteries in battery-powered units every six months. For hardwired units, replace the backup battery every year or when the alarm starts chirping, whichever comes first. Then, replace the CO detector outright every 10 years or according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

How to test your carbon monoxide alarm

You only need a minute to test your CO sensor. Review the instruction manual for directions individual to your unit, knowing that testing follows this general process:

• Press and hold the Test button. It might need 5 to 20 seconds for the alarm to go off.
• Loud beeping indicates the detector is operating correctly.
• Let go of the Test button and wait for two short beeps, a flash or both. If the device continues beeping when you release the button, press and hold it again for five seconds to stop it.

Replace the batteries if the unit fails to perform as expected after the test. If replacement batteries don’t help, replace the detector immediately.

How to reset your carbon monoxide alarm

You’re only required to reset your unit when the alarm goes off, after a test or after swapping the batteries. Some models automatically reset themselves within 10 minutes of these events, while other alarms require a manual reset. The instruction manual should note which function you should use.

Use these steps to reset your CO detector manually:

• Press and hold the Reset button for 5 to 10 seconds.
• Release the button and wait for a beep, a flash or both.

If you don’t get a beep or observe a flash, attempt the reset again or replace the batteries. If it’s still not working, troubleshoot your carbon monoxide alarm with help from the manufacturer, or replace the detector.

What should I do if a carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

Follow these steps to safeguard your home and family:

• Do not disregard the alarm. You won’t always be able to detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide until it’s too late, so assume the alarm is functioning correctly when it starts.
• Evacuate all people and pets as soon as possible. If you can, open windows and doors on your way out to try and weaken the concentration of CO gas.
• Call 911 or a local fire department and explain that the carbon monoxide alarm has triggered.

• Don’t assume it’s safe to reenter your home when the alarm stops beeping. Opening windows and doors can help air it out, but the root cause might still be generating carbon monoxide.
• When emergency responders come, they will go into your home, assess carbon monoxide levels, look for the source of the CO leak and establish if it’s safe to go back inside. Depending on the cause, you might need to schedule repair services to stop the problem from returning.

Seek Support from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

With the right precautions, there’s no need to fear carbon monoxide exposure in your home. Along with installing CO alarms, it’s worthwhile to maintain your fuel-burning appliances, particularly as winter starts.

The team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is qualified to inspect, clean, diagnose and repair problems with furnaces, boilers, water heaters and other combustion appliances. We recognize which signs suggest a potential carbon monoxide leak— such as increased soot, rusted flue pipes and a yellow, flickering burner flame—along with the necessary repairs to resolve them.

Do you still have questions or concerns about CO exposure? Is it time to schedule annual heating services? Contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for more information.