How Does a Carbon Monoxide Monitoring System Work in your Home?

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. It is colorless and odorless and exposure to it can result in sickness and can potentially be lethal.

As part of your home alarm system we can install a gas detection alarm which will warn your household of the presence of this hazardous gas. The installation of these CO detectors may be the only notification for your family for the need to vacate your home.

How Can Carbon Monoxide Detectors Help Your Home?

Instant Alarm provides several types of brand named detectors for Carbon Monoxide. The most common type of CO detectors operate through electrochemical sensors. These detectors consist of electrodes immersed in an electrolyte (an electrically conductive solution). 

There are many types of Carbon Monoxide detectors that exist. A Colorimetric detector is an example of a CO detector. This detector uses a light source and a photocell that measures continuously throughout your home. So once Carbon Monoxide is detected, the chemical detector will then change to a black color, which the light will no longer be reflected to the photocell, which in essence will sound the alarm signal.  

Another similar detector is a metal oxide sensor. Instead of a chemical solution, the sensors rely on circuitry. This is when carbon monoxide meets a sensor’s chip. 

CO detectors can potentially include a power indicator light, test button, and LCD screen. Some models also make a chirping sound to indicate a low battery level. It is critical to make sure you are testing and changing the batteries on your CO detectors at least once a month.

Sources of Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

Carbon Monoxide (CO) can enter your home in many different ways. Some of the most common ways CO can get into your house are:

• Gas appliances: We want to emphasize that gas-powered appliances like furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and dryers can be a potential source of CO, especially if they aren’t functioning properly or are poorly maintained.
• Fireplaces and Wood-burning stoves: It’s critically important to have ventilation in your home to prevent fireplaces and wood-burning stoves from producing CO.
• Car Exhaust: Having a running car in an attached garage or close to a window can lead to accumulation of Carbon Monoxide within the house, making it imperative to have a detection system in place to alert you of potential danger.
• Blocked Chimneys: Blocked chimneys or flues can cause CO buildup inside of your home since the gas cannot escape.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide in Your Home & Stay Alert

• Quick safety tips to avoid exposure of Carbon Monoxide throughout your home:
  Avoid using gas ranges to heat your home as they can emit CO, a harmful gas that can run throughout your living space. Instead, opt in for a safer heating alternative to ensure the well-being of you and your loved ones.
• To prevent dangerous levels of CO from building up in your garage, it’s important to pull your vehicle out of the garage before warming it up. A vehicle exhaust is a primary source of carbon monoxide, which can accumulate rapidly in both enclosed and open garages.
• Have proper ventilation near any gas-powered tools. Tools can include generators, space heaters, and pressure washers.
• Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector in your home to protect yourself and anyone in your home. They are affordable and easy to install, but act as an alarm system to alert you to the presence of odorless and deadly gas. We always recommend installing a Carbon Monoxide system on every floor of your home near the garage and bedrooms.

How Carbon Monoxide is Dangerous in a Home

Carbon Monoxide is a highly dangerous gas in a home when not detected. When Carbon Monoxide enters your lungs, it has the potential to bind with your red blood cells, resulting in oxygen deprivation throughout your entire body. Carbon Monoxide is capable of causing serious harm to anyone near. It is very important to have a functional Carbon Monoxide detector installed in your home to alert you to any dangerous levels of gas.

• Early symptoms of CO poisoning:
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue

How Long Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Last?

When it comes to the longevity of a CO detector system, it’s important to understand that not all detectors are the same or work the same. It all depends on the manufacturer’s recommendations, and how often you use the device.

The typical lifespan of a Carbon Monoxide detector is between five and seven years before it’s time to be replaced. Instant Alarm will always ensure that your Carbon Monoxide detector is working properly once the installation has been completed. We always recommend to perform regular checks and to test your CO alarm system to identify any issues early in case of an emergency.