CO Detectors How-To Guide

CO Detectors

Overview
Maintenance
Questions/Answers
Articles

To maintain the performance of your carbon monoxide detector for helping to keep your home safe from the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, it is important that your home maintenance program include the proper maintenance for your carbon monoxide detector.

Accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning kill more people than any other chemical substance (200 people killed and 8,000 people injured per year) according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is created by combustion such as in a gas furnace or oil-fired water heater, gas oven, or engine.

During winter when doors and windows are closed, and heaters and furnaces are operating, the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning dramatically increases. "Carbon Monoxide Detectors" (also sometimes called "CO Detectors") are electrical devices that alarm when they detect invisible and odorless carbon monoxide. See also: Smoke Detectors, Furnaces, Water Heaters, Wood-Burning Fireplaces, Gas Fireplaces, and Wood Stoves.

Shown in the "Maintenance" tab above are the recommended routine maintenance tasks for your carbon monoxide detector. The "Questions / Answers" tab above shows our answers to related questions. And the "Articles" tab above provides links to related informational articles and sources.

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		Maintenance Task #1: Replace batteries and clean the unit

		How do you replace batteries and clean a CO detector?
		Even if the carbon monoxide detector is plugged into an electrical supply, it still likely has a back-up battery that should be replaced. The detector can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner to remove cobwebs, and to the extent possible, to also remove dust from the inside of the unit.

		Why is it important to replace batteries and clean a CO detector?
		This task is important for safety reasons. Exposure to a low concentration over several hours can be as dangerous as exposure to high carbon monoxide levels for a few minutes. Newer carbon monoxide detectors can detect both situations. NOTE: Although carbon monoxide detectors can be used to help alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide, they should not be used as a substitute for proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances.

		How often should you replace batteries and clean a CO detector?
		Replace batteries and clean carbon monoxide detectors annually in September.

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is moderate from an investment of time standpoint. It is estimated that this task should only take about 30-60 minutes to complete, depending on the number of spoke detectors in your home. You will need a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to complete the task.

		The benefits of this task are high, in that it helps to ensure the safe operation of your carbon monoxide detectors for protecting you and your home.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #2: Replace sensor component

		How do you replace the sensor component of a CO detector?
		Replace the sensor component of your carbon monoxide detector according to your manufacturer's recommendations. If you don't have the instructions from the manufacturer that came with the unit, then you can try looking on the Internet for the model, and then downloading the instructions. You do not typically need to replace the entire unit, just the sensor. Just replacing the sensor, rather than the entire unit can save you money.

		Why is it important to replace the sensor component of a CO detector?
		This task is important for safety reasons. Replacing the sensor helps to ensure proper sensing capability of your carbon monoxide detector.

		How often should you replace the sensor component of a CO detector?
		Replace sensor every 2 years (September).

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is moderate, depending on how many carbon monoxide detectors that you have in your home.

		The benefits of this task are high, in that it helps to ensure the safe operation of your carbon monoxide detectors for protecting you and your home.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):

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