A carbon monoxide detector can save your life in the event of a failed furnace heat exchanger or a clogged vent for any gas fired appliance. It provides you with peace of mind knowing that you are protected against a dangerous threat that can be almost impossible to detect otherwise. There are many features available that offer you varied levels of protection.
Some carbon monoxide detectors plug directly into a wall for their power supply but become ineffective if the power goes out. A battery backup is important to have so that you are never without protection. Some models are solely battery-powered, allowing them to be placed more discreetly in your house.
Your carbon monoxide detector should have an audible warning that indicates whether the power supply is running low. It should do the same thing if the sensor is malfunctioning or worn out so that you know you need to either repair or replace it as soon as possible.
There are also units that work as both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. This reduces the number of devices you need in your home, but they have to be hard-wired into your electrical system. And because smoke will naturally rise, they have to be mounted to your ceiling to be effective. Be sure to check the information provided by the manufacturer so that you do not assume that your carbon monoxide detector works as a smoke detector when it does not.
The placement of your CO detector is crucial to its effectiveness. You want it to be close enough to you to be able to wake you up if you are in a deep sleep. It should be about five feet above the floor and no more than 15 feet from your bedroom door.
For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and their features, contact Aladdin Heating & Coolingtoday. We have proudly served residents in southeast Michigan since 1945, and we will gladly answer any air quality questions you have.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Aladding Heating & Cooling services the Detroit, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!