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

As cooler weather gets closer, now is a great time to get started thinking about your house’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season starts, the Centers for Disease Control says the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning builds. 

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 residence. When your furnace is running like it’s supposed to, the gas is safely moved outside of your house. Fractures in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to spill into your house, where ongoing exposure can be lethal. 

Although carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, the CDC says at least 430 people in the U.S. die from it annually. And another approximately 50,000 people visit the emergency room due to related issues, including headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can protect your family is by scheduling yearly 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 solution out there that matches for your home and budget. 

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, including the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it straightforward to keep on top of keeping your loved ones safe. They’re often offered as combined carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be linked with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi. 

Here are a few other advantages of having them in your residence: 

• Tells you there’s a problem through voice notifications, plus alerts on your phone. 
• Pinpoints the problem area, such as the kitchen or basement. 
• Can be silenced from your phone. 
• Automatically tests its sensors and batteries and shares findings through a comprehensive report on your phone. 
• Notifies you of dead 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 brand. 

The only issue with installing Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the expense. These detectors are typically much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also offer many beneficial and important features you don’t receive in a non-smart device. 

When you’re getting a new device, it’s vital to learn where to put carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests placing a carbon monoxide detector approximately five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with heated air. 

We suggest using a detector on each floor of your home, as well as outside bedrooms. You’ll want to be certain the alarm 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 styles 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 typically have a digital display and test button, which you’ll have to remember to use. 

The National Fire Protection Association recommends testing hardwired carbon monoxide alarms every month. Battery-powered detectors that don’t plug in should be tested every week. If you’re unsure how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s pretty easy. 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 often means 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 use. Most often, it’s between 5–10 years, but make sure to check instructions from your device’s manufacturer. 

If you’re concerned about why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s usually due to the fact it’s detecting hazardous levels of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with steady, loud beeping, leave your house as quickly as possible and dial 911. 

Now is an excellent time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is working like it’s supposed to 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 assist you. Get in touch with us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you select the best carbon monoxide detector for your home.