Most parts of your electrical system exist to provide comfort to you and your family – heating, cooling, lighting, and power to appliances and devices. When one of these isn’t working, it’s immediately noticeable. Still, there are other parts of your electrical system that provide protection and peace of mind in the background. Just like smoke alarms that protect your home and family from fires, carbon monoxide detectors allow you to feel secure in the knowledge that your family is safe from this deadly gas. If your house is not currently monitored for carbon monoxide, we recommend immediate action to address this important concern.
Overview of Residential Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide is a lethal, colorless, and odorless gas naturally resulting from the burning of coal, wood, propane, and natural gas. Common household items like portable generators, cars, and lawnmowers also emit carbon monoxide as they operate. This toxic gas is particularly hazardous for households because it’s undetectable without proper equipment, making it a silent threat in residential environments. Extended exposure to carbon monoxide can leave you drowsy, facing flu-like symptoms, and developing life-threatening problems like nerve and tissue damage.
Home detectors serve as an early warning system against gas buildup. Given the gas’s undetectable nature, these detectors play a key role in safeguarding households from the risks posed by everyday appliances and equipment that can unknowingly emit carbon monoxide. Always contact medical experts immediately if you fear you or your family member is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Types of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Various types of home detectors are available, each with unique features.
10-Year Sealed Battery Alarms: These alarms have a long-lasting, non-replaceable battery, suitable for easy surface placement. They often feature digital displays showing temperature and carbon monoxide levels.
Plug-In Alarms: Convenient for direct plugging into home electrical sockets, these detectors usually include a battery backup for continuous protection during power outages. Some models also detect explosive gases and have digital displays for precise readings.
Combination Alarms: Offering dual protection, these alarms detect smoke and carbon monoxide simultaneously.
Installation and Maintenance
- When installing home carbon monoxide detectors, one thing should be on your mind – coverage. Install at least one detector on every level, including the basement, and place detectors near bedrooms to ensure alarms are audible during sleep.
- Mount them on walls a few feet below the ceiling, as carbon monoxide doesn’t rise like smoke. Avoid direct sunlight, heat sources, and overly humid areas to maintain detector accuracy. Keep detectors in open areas, away from potential obstructions like curtains or furniture, and within 10 feet of garage doors to monitor carbon monoxide levels from vehicles.
- To maintain optimal functionality, test units regularly using the provided “test” button. If your model requires battery changes, take this time to replace them as well. Even if detectors seem to work during tests, their ability to detect carbon monoxide might diminish over time. Therefore, an essential maintenance practice is replacing the entire detector unit every five years.
Professional installation of carbon monoxide detectors by certified electricians ensures optimal functionality, safety compliance, and peace of mind, safeguarding your home against the silent threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. As carbon monoxide is produced through the routine use of a portable generator in enclosed spaces, it is a good idea to have your electrician double-check the placement and condition of your detectors during a yearly generator maintenance visit.
The team at Promise Electric is ready to help protect your family and safeguard your future through the installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors. Call us today if you have any concerns regarding generator usage or potential carbon monoxide buildup in your home.
