In the winter, carbon monoxide exposure is a real concern. When you use a fuel-burning heating system to keep your Atlanta, GA home warm, a carbon monoxide detector is essential. Read on to learn why a detector is a necessity in your home, how many you need and where they should be installed.
Do I Need a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
If your Atlanta, GA home uses any fuel-burning appliances or has an attached garage or fireplace, you need a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is produced as a byproduct of combustion in fuel-burning appliances and in vehicles as well as burning wood in a fireplace.
Why Is a Carbon Monoxide Detector Necessary?
Carbon monoxide is nearly impossible to detect without a detector. It is a colorless and odorless gas which can be deadly upon exposure. With a CO detector in your home, your family will receive an alert when unsafe levels of carbon monoxide are within the home.
Carbon monoxide results from many sources, such as:
- Malfunctioning gas furnaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, ovens and fireplaces
- Vehicles running in enclosed spaces, such as an attached garage
- Blocked flue pipes and chimneys
- Operating portable grills or heaters in enclosed spaces.
Where Should You Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
If you have a single-level home, install a CO detector in the hallway outside bedrooms. Do not install a detector too close to fuel-burning appliances or to the attached garage.
Installing a CO detector too close can give off false readings. Ensure it is installed a minimum of 15 feet away from your home’s fuel-burning appliances and garage entrance.
You should not have a CO detector installed near windows, doors or in dead air spaces, as readings may be affected in these areas.
Some companies manufacture combination smoke and CO detectors. In this case, install them on the ceiling because smoke rises. Because CO gas does not rise, detectors specifically for CO may be installed lower. A common recommendation is knee-height, or where your head may be while sleeping.
How Many Carbon Monoxide Detectors Does My Home Need?
In multi-level homes, you should install a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your house, as well as one in each sleeping area.
While one CO detector is the minimum recommended for one-story homes, you need one carbon monoxide detector for every level of your home.
Caring for Your Carbon Monoxide Detector
Your CO detector requires regular maintenance for continued safe operation. Every week, use the carbon monoxide detector test function – press the test button, which confirms proper operation.
Each month, carefully clean your CO detector. Unplug the unit and gently clean away dust with a soft cloth or soft-bristle vacuum attachment.
Trust Estes Services for Atlanta HVAC and Air Quality Concerns
Estes Services works to keep your Atlanta home safe – so contact us today for the installation of a new carbon monoxide detector. We evaluate your home to ensure you have the proper number of carbon monoxide detectors and the correct placement for optimal home safety.
