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

As autumn arrives, now is a good time to start thinking about your house’s carbon monoxide detectors. When heating season begins, the Centers for Disease Control says the likelihood 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 uses to add warmth to your home. When your furnace is running as it should, the gas is securely pushed outside of your residence. Fractures in your furnace’s heat exchanger or flue pipes can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your residence, where ongoing exposure can be fatal. 

Despite the fact 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 because of related symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting. 

The best ways you can help your loved ones is by organizing yearly maintenance of all gas, oil, or wood burning appliances, like your furnace and water heater, and getting a carbon monoxide detector. From plug-in to smart carbon monoxide detectors, there’s a solution available that matches for your house and budget. 

Smart Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart carbon monoxide detectors, such as the Nest carbon monoxide detector, make it easy to keep on top of keeping your family safe. They’re often available as dual-purpose carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and can generally be linked with other smart home devices via Wi-Fi. 

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

• Signals that there’s an issue 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 checks its sensors and batteries and explains findings through a comprehensive report on your phone. 
• Warns you of dead batteries with an alert on your phone, not a screeching sound in the middle of the night. 

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

The only problem with getting Wi-Fi carbon monoxide detectors is the price tag. These detectors are often much more expensive than their plug-in or battery-powered counterparts. But they also include many useful and valuable features you don’t find in a non-smart device. 

When you’re installing a new device, it’s important to learn where to put carbon monoxide detectors. The Environmental Protection Agency encourages putting a carbon monoxide detector around five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. This is since carbon monoxide can rise with warm air. 

We suggest having a detector on each floor of your home, 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 economical. 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 typically 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 weekly. If you’re wondering how to test for carbon monoxide, it’s fairly straightforward. Press the button to make sure your detector is running. 

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 skip the annoying chirp in the middle of the night. 

If you’re hearing that sound or your carbon monoxide detector is beeping more frequently, it generally means it has a low battery. Or, it’s getting to 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 read the instructions from your system’s manufacturer. 

If you’re wondering why your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it’s often due to the fact it’s detecting hazardous concentration of carbon monoxide. If your carbon monoxide detector is going off with continued, loud beeping, leave your residence right away and call 911. 

Now is a great time to ensure your carbon monoxide detector is working normally 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. Reach us at 866-397-3787 today and we’ll help you pick the perfect carbon monoxide detector for your home.