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

As fall approaches, now is a great time to get started 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 dangerous gas that’s colorless, odorless and tasteless. It’s a result of combustion your gas furnace relies on to heat your residence. When your heating is operating as it should, the gas is correctly pushed outside of your residence. Breaks in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to appear into your house, where prolonged exposure can be lethal. 

Although carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. are killed by it each year. And another approximately 50,000 people are transported to the hospital thanks to related issues, like headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can help your home is by setting up yearly 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 a model out there to work for your residence and budget. 

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, like the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it straightforward to remain in control for keeping your loved ones safe. They’re frequently sold 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 advantages of having them in your residence: 

• Tells you there’s trouble through voice notifications, as well as alerts on your phone. 
• Points out the problem spot, such as the kitchen or basement. 
• Can be shut off from your phone. 
• Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a full report on your phone. 
• Alerts you of low batteries with an alert on your phone, not an annoying sound in the middle of the night. 

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

The only downside of getting Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are frequently much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many helpful and important features you can’t get in a non-smart device. 

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

We recommend using a detector on each floor of your house, as well as 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 economical. Some of the most popular types 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 suggests testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms each month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in ought to be tested weekly. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly straightforward. Use 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 swap it once a month to skip the annoying chirp in the middle of the night. 

If you’re noticing that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, it often means 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 use. Typically, it’s around 5–10 years, but make sure to check instructions from your specific manufacturer. 

If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s frequently due to the fact it’s detected dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your house right away and contact 911. 

Now is an excellent time to confirm your carbon monoxide detector is functioning normally before heating season begins. If you need to request furnace maintenance or you’re interested in upgrading to smart carbon monoxide detectors, the Experts at Rob's Albertan Service Experts can help. Reach us at 780-800-9047 today and we’ll help you select the best carbon monoxide detector for your house.