If your home houses any gas-powered equipment, your safety is at risk if you don’t have carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home. Equipment that is fueled by gas, such as a furnace, water heater, stove or dryer, as well as a gas- or wood-burning fireplace or wood stove, gives off a measure of carbon monoxide (CO) as a naturally occurring by-product. However, because most equipment can malfunction, either though mechanical error or lack of maintenance, it’s critical that you protect yourself, and your family, from the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Follow these tips to choose the right carbon monoxide detectors for your home:
Battery-powered detectors have:
- Sensors that can only read CO levels over a period of time
- Continual power, which requires that you change the batteries regularly
- A life span that averages two to three years
- Manual reset, which often means homeowners will have to remove the sensor to reset the device, although some devices now come with a silencing button
- Flexible installation options – while you can install them almost anywhere in your home, it’s critical that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because of the sensor setting
Hard-wired detectors have:
- Sensors that continuously read CO levels, which requires a higher electricity draw
- Power that lasts over the life of the unit, with no maintenance (battery changes) required
- A life span of up to 10 years
- Automatic reset when CO levels signal the alarm
- Limited installation, as they are hard-wired into your home’s existing electricity lines or electrical outlets
Regardless of the type of detector you select, make sure that the device is approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, a worldwide organization that serves North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. This will ensure that your selection meets safety standards.
Additionally, one of the best ways to avoid high CO levels in your home is to ensure that your HVAC equipment receives regular tune-ups. With preventive maintenance, you can rest assured that your equipment operates safely, with proper ventilation systems that will exhaust CO outdoors.
Ensure your peace of mind—and safety—by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home this year. The experts at Arpi’s Industries are happy to help. Just give us a call today! We’ve been serving greater Calgary-area homeowners for almost 50 years.
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.
Arpi’s services Calgary, Alberta. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!
