Carbon Monoxide Monitors
Do you have a carbon monoxide monitor installed in your house? Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is in many ways more dangerous than fire. Unfortunately, unlike fire, carbon monoxide can’t be detected by any of your senses - it can only be detected using a carbon monoxide monitor. If you want to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide by installing a carbon monoxide monitor in your home, call Magnolia Heating & Air Conditioning today!
There are many considerations you should make before you install your carbon monoxide monitor:
What kind of carbon monoxide monitors should I install?
There are three main types of carbon monoxide monitors available:
- Electrolytic sensor carbon monoxide monitors – electrolytic sensor carbon monoxide monitors use electrochemical sensors to determine the levels of carbon monoxide present in the home. They are the extremely sensitive, low-level carbon monoxide alarms and provide the most effective protection – however, they have the highest upfront costs.
- Colorimetric sensor carbon monoxide monitors – colorimetric sensor carbon monoxide monitors use a colored strip to determine the level of carbon monoxide in your home. When a colorimetric carbon monoxide monitor goes off, it won’t reset until the color strip turns back to normal – sometimes up to 48 hours later.
- Metal oxide carbon monoxide monitors – these carbon monoxide monitors heat up in the presence of carbon monoxide. They are popular because they can detect a variety of other poisonous gasses present in the air, such as bleach and silicones.
In addition, there are several power options available for carbon monoxide monitors:
- Battery operated carbon monoxide monitors are very easy to install. Unfortunately, they tend to require battery replacements pretty frequently.
- Hard wired carbon monoxide monitors hook directly into your home’s electrical system for constant operation. These require professional installation but will be very cheap to run once they’re in.
- Some carbon monoxide monitors can be hard wired with battery backups. Again, they will need to be professionally installed, but they will be able to operate even if there is a power outage.
What’s the best place to install my carbon monoxide monitor?
The CPSC recommends that you install at least one carbon monoxide monitor in your home. If you want even more protection, install one near every sleeping area and one above the garage (carbon monoxide can leak out of your car’s exhaust). For best results, make sure your carbon monoxide monitors are at least 15 ft away from any fuel burning appliances.
What special carbon monoxide monitor features are available?
There are a number of special carbon monoxide monitor features available that make them even more effective and convenient:
- Power indicator lights – power indicator lights blink under normal conditions to show that the system is working properly.
- Low battery signal – many carbon monoxide monitors will emit an alarm or a chirping noise that will alert you when it’s time to replace the batteries.
- Battery drawer – some carbon monoxide monitors include a battery drawer that allows you to easily replace the batteries without having to remove the carbon monoxide monitor from the wall.
- Test / Silence button – this useful feature allows you to test your carbon monoxide monitor at the touch of a button. It also allows you to silence the device in the event of a false alarm.
- Visual Alarms – while most carbon monoxide monitors use audible signals, there are carbon monoxide monitors for the hearing impaired that use flashing lights to alert you of danger.
- Combination smoke alarm / carbon monoxide monitor - combination smoke alarm / carbon monoxide monitors save space by combining the two main alarms you need in your house. This also means you only have to change one set of batteries instead of two.
Installing a carbon monoxide monitor in your Maryland, Virginia or Washington, DC home is the only way to protect your family from the danger of carbon monoxide. If you want to install a carbon monoxide monitor, call Magnolia Heating & Air Conditioning today!