Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most hazardous gases found in the home. Dubbed the “silent killer,” CO gas is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating, but it can cause unconsciousness, brain damage or death. As a result, more than 400 people die of accidental carbon monoxide influence each year, a higher fatality rate than any other type of poisoning.
As the weather cools off, you close up your home for the winter and rely on heating appliances to stay warm. This is when the risk of carbon monoxide inhalation is highest. The good news is you can protect your family from carbon monoxide in several ways. One of the most successful methods is to install CO detectors around your home. Use this guide to help you understand where carbon monoxide is produced and how to make the most of your CO alarms.
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. Therefore, this gas is produced when a fuel source burns, such as natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, gasoline, woo, and more. Common causes of carbon monoxide in a house include:
No, smoke detectors do not detect carbon monoxide. In fact, they sound an alarm when they sense a certain concentration of smoke produced by a fire. Having functional smoke detectors reduces the risk of dying in a house fire by nearly 55 percent.
Smoke detectors come in two primary types—ionization detectors and photoelectric detectors. Ionization detection is ideal with fast-growing fires that produce large flames, while photoelectric detection is more effective with smoldering, smoky fires. Some newer smoke detectors come with both types of alarms in a single unit to increase the chance of sensing a fire, no matter how it burns.
Unmistakably, smoke detectors and CO alarms are equally important home safety devices. If you look up at the ceiling and find an alarm of some kind, you may not realize whether it’s a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide alarm. The visual difference is based on the brand and model you have. Here are a few factors to consider:
The number of CO alarms you require depends on your home’s size, number of floors and bedroom arrangement. Use these guidelines to guarantee thorough coverage:
Depending on the model, the manufacturer may encourage monthly testing and resetting to maintain proper functionality. Also, replace the batteries in battery-powered units every six months. For hardwired units, replace the backup battery every year or when the alarm starts chirping, whichever comes first. Then, replace the CO detector entirely every 10 years or according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
It only takes a minute to test your CO sensor. Check the instruction manual for directions individual to your unit, knowing that testing follows this general procedure:
Change the batteries if the unit fails to perform as expected during the test. If replacement batteries don’t change anything, replace the detector immediately.
You only need to reset your unit when the alarm goes off, after testing the device or after changing the batteries. Some models automatically reset themselves within 10 minutes of these events, while others require a manual reset. The instruction manual should note which function applies.
Follow these steps to reset your CO detector manually:
If you don’t hear a beep or see a flash, start the reset again or replace the batteries. If it’s still not working, troubleshoot your carbon monoxide alarm with assistance from the manufacturer, or replace the detector.
Listen to these steps to protect your home and family:
With the appropriate precautions, there’s no need to fear carbon monoxide exposure in your home. Besides installing CO alarms, it’s important to maintain your fuel-burning appliances, namely as winter arrives.
The team at BW/Cook Service Experts is qualified to inspect, clean, diagnose and repair problems with furnaces, boilers, water heaters and other combustion appliances. We know what signs indicate a likely carbon monoxide leak— such as excessive soot, rusted flue pipes and a yellow, flickering burner flame—along with the necessary repairs to resolve them.
Do you still have questions or concerns about CO exposure? Is it time to schedule annual heating services? Contact BW/Cook Service Experts for more information.
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts With autumn around the corner, homeowners will soon be planning for the cold months ahead. Cold weather puts additional demand on your heating and cooling system. To prepare your heating system for the heavy work it will need to do, scheduled HVAC maintenance... Continue reading
When you think of ultraviolet light, you probably imagine getting sunburned after a long day at the pool. And yet, UV light is also a tool for improving indoor air quality. Sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, but UVC is the kind of light applied in air purification. If you suffer from... Continue reading
Indoor allergens affect millions of people in the U.S. each year. It’s common for many to look outside the home for potential allergens triggering sniffles, watery eyes, respiratory problems and even asthma flare-ups. But many are surprised to learn that indoor dust mites, molds, animal dander... Continue reading
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.