Is My Carbon Monoxide Detector Working? How To Test Your CO Detector

Carbon Monoxide Detectors: How to Keep Your Livonia Home Safe

Your home’s carbon monoxide detector can save your life and the lives of your loved ones and pets. Yet merely installing one will not suffice. It’s critical that you test the alarm regularly to ensure it’s functional.
Are your carbon monoxide detectors installed properly in your home? Contact us today to schedule service with one of our indoor air quality experts.

Why Is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?

Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it can’t be seen, tasted, touched, or heard. Your home’s indoor air could be poisoned by carbon monoxide, and you might not find out until it’s too late. This silent killer is a gas that can only be detected with a functional carbon monoxide alarm.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that carbon monoxide poisoning sends around 15,000 people to emergency rooms every year. However, many people poisoned by carbon monoxide don’t notice the symptoms until it’s too late.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include many of those associated with other illnesses, including:
Headaches

• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Unconsciousness

Common Types of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors aren’t all the same. There are four main types you could have in your home:

• Metal oxide: This detector monitors CO levels with a wired circuit.

• Biometric: These systems use color-changing liquids and gels to detect the presence of CO.

• Electrochemical: These use electrical currents to track CO levels. This detector has the best accuracy and longest lifespan.

• Optochemical sensor: This sensor detects carbon monoxide with a color-changing pad but can’t measure the level of gas in the home.

If you’re wondering whether your carbon monoxide detector still works, knowing the type of detector you have is important. Each has a limited and unique lifespan, with the metal oxide units lasting around three years and the biometric units lasting up to ten.

The Importance of a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Installing a carbon monoxide detector is critical. Yet simply installing one near your home’s living room isn’t enough to protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning. A carbon monoxide detector should be installed on each floor of the home.
A detector should also be positioned by each bedroom. Install detectors at least 15 feet away from all potential sources of carbon monoxide to reduce false alarms.
Common sources of carbon monoxide include gas ovens, furnaces, boilers, and fireplaces.

How Do I Test My CO Detector?

Testing your carbon monoxide detector is the easiest way to ensure your family’s safety. You should test your CO detector monthly.
The test button is the most reliable way to confirm that the alarm can still sound, though it doesn’t check gas detection accuracy. To test your carbon monoxide detector, press and hold the test button until you hear a series of chirps or beeps. Refer to your model’s user manual for specific testing instructions.
If you’re uncomfortable with the testing process, contact Ehlers Heating and Cooling. Our Livonia HVAC technicians can test it for you and ensure your system is working properly.

How Do I Know My Carbon Monoxide Detector Is Working?

It’s crucial that you test your carbon monoxide detector’s functionality monthly. These simple maintenance steps can help:

• Replace the batteries every six months. Low batteries can prevent the alarm from sounding. Replace them as part of your spring and fall routine when changing your clocks.

• Dust the unit to keep sensors clear of debris. If your detector plugs into an outlet, ensure it is pushed in securely after cleaning.

• Test the alarm volume to ensure it can be heard clearly from each bedroom. The sound should be loud enough to wake every family member.

Contact Ehlers Heating and Cooling for Indoor Air Quality in Livonia, MI

Better indoor air means better health. Ehlers Heating and Cooling provides Carrier humidifiers, ventilators, filtration systems, carbon monoxide alarms, and ultraviolet cleaners to optimize your home’s air quality.
You’ll always be treated with honesty and respect. That’s our promise. It’s how we do business and how we earn your trust.
Contact us today to schedule service for indoor air quality and HVAC solutions, including carbon monoxide detectors, in Livonia, Michigan.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Common questions we receive about carbon monoxide detectors include: