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I decided to do a poll - What type of carbon monoxide detector do you have - battery-powered, plug-in, or hardwired (including those with battery backup, as well as those combined with a smoke detector)?
We have a plug-in one with battery backup (Kidde Nighthawk). We brought it over from our house in NM.
Most detectors I have seen sound at 70PPM to allow the residents to see if there is a problem and take action. But according to the EPA and other sources, the technology hasn't proven to be as reliable as say a smoke detector, as yet. I did notice the Kidde plugins w/ display appear more reliable. I had two false alarms in a rental (combo fire/smoke alarms) after the local government enacted some ridiculous regulation that resulted in a lot of property damage by the Fire Department.
What's more important is to follow safety precautions to avoid CO poisoning: Have heating systems, stoves, fireplaces etc installed and maintained by licensed professionals. Do not use stoves for heating or burn items inside for heat. The burning produces a lot of CO, which can kill if allowed to build up without ventilation. In addition, I ventilate my house (heated by gas) in the winter no matter how cold it is outside.
There's not a choice for hard wired with battery back-up. I have one plug-in and one hard wired with battery back-up.
My "Hardwired" option refers all types of hardwired units, including those with battery backup. The same same goes with the "Plug-In" option (our Kidde Nighthawk has battery backup).
Most detectors I have seen sound at 70PPM to allow the residents to see if there is a problem and take action. But according to the EPA and other sources, the technology hasn't proven to be as reliable as say a smoke detector, as yet. I did notice the Kidde plugins w/ display appear more reliable. I had two false alarms in a rental (combo fire/smoke alarms) after the local government enacted some ridiculous regulation that resulted in a lot of property damage by the Fire Department.
What's more important is to follow safety precautions to avoid CO poisoning: Have heating systems, stoves, fireplaces etc installed and maintained by licensed professionals. Do not use stoves for heating or burn items inside for heat. The burning produces a lot of CO, which can kill if allowed to build up without ventilation. In addition, I ventilate my house (heated by gas) in the winter no matter how cold it is outside.
I've never had a false alarm on either the plug-ins or the central alarm system CO detectors. However, I have had a 4 yr old central heater fail, with a leaking firebox seal! Were it NOT for the CO detectors, I shudder to think. And yes, my heaters (2 homes) are serviced annually by a licensed plumber. I would never be w/o a CO detector!
None. I could nto find one that i could get to work. Not even by holding them in in the exhaust of a running car, holding them int eh smoke from the fire in the fireplace, holding them over an unlit gas stove. My conclusion - They do nto work, so why have one in the house?
I tired two or three different brands and at least five different models. None would work ecept a really old plug in one (no batteries) that I found in my garage. The new ones would not alarm no matter what I did. I bought one, took it back bought another, took it back eventually i tried every brand and model that they had in Home Depot and Lowes and could not get one of them to work.
Don't have one. No carbon dioxide emitting items here.
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