Does Every Home Need A Carbon Monoxide Detector?

Carbon monoxide detectors can play an essential role in any household. While many associate their necessity strictly with combustion heating systems, there are actually a number of carbon monoxide threats found in and around every home. From wood stoves to automobiles, sources of carbon monoxide are everywhere, and with them, the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.

What makes carbon monoxide so dangerous is the fact that it’s virtually undetectable in terms of smell, color or odor. Without detection devices in place, your family is at risk of exposure – a danger even at the lowest level. With that in mind, it’s important to equip your home with at least one detection device, preferably located within 10-15 feet of the master bedroom. This ensures that you are alerted to late night emergencies, and have time to move your family to safety before being overtaken by the harmful – and potentially deadly – effects of carbon monoxide.

Other tips for installing carbon monoxide detectors include:

  • Placing them at eye level or above, but no more than 10 feet from the floor.
  • Installing them near common threats, such as near the furnace or fireplace, but far enough away to avoid false alarms from trace amounts of CO that may be emitted when the equipment is first turned on.
  • Keeping them out of high-humidity areas such as the bathroom.
  • Choosing a model that features a battery backup in case there is a power outage.
  • Considering wireless features that allow multiple detection devices to be linked, sending an audible alarm throughout your home no matter where carbon monoxide is detected.

Of course, if you are using a combustion heat source such as a furnace, one of the best ways to protect your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide is to schedule routine professional maintenance for your system. During these in-depth checkups, your technician will verify the integrity of your combustion chamber, ventilation system and ductwork. This will ensure that gaseous byproducts of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, aren’t being sucked back into household circulation.

For more information on the benefits of carbon monoxide detectors, speak to one of our trained technicians. Contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Companyin Yuma today.

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.

Hansberger Refrigeration & Electric Co services the Yuma area in Arizona. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!