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

As fall approaches, now is an excellent time to start thinking about your residence’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season begins, the Centers for Disease Control says the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning increases. 

Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a product of combustion your gas furnace uses to add warmth to your house. When your heating is working as it should, the gas is safely vented outside of your house. Cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to spill into your residence, where prolonged exposure can be fatal. 

Although carbon monoxide poisoning is escapable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die because of it every year. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the hospital because of related symptoms, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can safeguard your family is by setting up annual 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 a model on the market that fits for your residence and budget. 

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to remain in control for keeping your home safe. They’re often available as combined 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 using them in your residence: 

• Tells you there’s a problem through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone. 
• Pinpoints the problem room, such as the kitchen or basement. 
• Can be shut off from your phone. 
• Automatically reviews its sensors and batteries and shares findings through a comprehensive report on your phone. 
• Warns you of dying batteries with an alert on your phone, not an annoying chirp in the middle of the night. 

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

The only issue with using Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the cost. These detectors are frequently much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many helpful and valuable features you won’t find in a non-smart device. 

When you’re buying a new device, it’s vital to learn where to put carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends placing 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 using a detector on each floor of your home, as well as 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 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 tend to have a digital display and test button, which you’ll have to remember to use. 

The National Fire Protection Association urges testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms once a month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested once a week. If you’re concerned about how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty easy. Press the button to ensure your detector is functioning. 

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

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

If you’re confused about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s likely due to the fact it’s detecting dangerous concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your house as quickly as possible and contact 911. 

Now is a good time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is functioning properly before heating season starts. 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. Contact us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you select the ideal carbon monoxide detector for your home.