Checking That Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Still Works

Carbon monoxide detectors are vital to home safety, especially if you have a gas line in your Muncie home. Gas and oil-based furnaces (among other things) can lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in a home. Detectors are life-saving devices that can alert you and your family to a potentially deadly gas leak, so it’s essential to make sure they’re still functioning.

With a battery-operated detector, changing the batteries once a year lets you know that things are still working. But how do you check a carbon monoxide detector that plugs into the wall?

How to Know If Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Is Broken

Most carbon monoxide monitors have a system to alert you if something goes wrong. However, your alarm can get so broken that it doesn’t warn you of a malfunction. Immediately seek fresh air and medical attention if you notice these signs of carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Shortness of breath

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion

  • Dull headache

  • Blurry vision

  • Weakness

  • Loss of consciousness

Here are some other ways to tell that your monitor is going bad.

You Hear Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Beeping 3 Times

A carbon monoxide detector beeping three times means that your device is malfunctioning. It will beep three times rapidly, pause for 15 minutes, and beep again. Some systems may only emit the three beeps once, but many repeat the warning to ensure you hear it.

This sound is different from the carbon monoxide alert sound. When the monitor detects carbon monoxide at dangerous levels, it will either make a continuous, high-pitched sound or beep four times in short intervals to indicate a leak.

Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Makes Chirping Noises

Distinct from the malfunction alert, your carbon monoxide may also emit a chirping noise about once a minute. It sounds like the chirp your smoke alarm gives off when running low on battery. This can indicate that it’s time to change the battery backup or that your detector is at the end of its lifespan.

How Long Does a Plug-in Carbon Monoxide Detector Last?

Typical plug-in carbon monoxide detectors last about 5-7 years, the same as battery-operated devices. However, there are a few different detector types with unique lifespans. Metal oxide detectors only last three years, while biometric or electrochemical units can last up to ten.

It’s vital to keep your detectors up to date, so you can be sure they’ll work as intended in case of a leak. Replace a plug-in carbon monoxide detector immediately if it gets physically damaged.

Testing Your Plug-in Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors have a “test/silence” button. This button lets you test whether the alarm will sound off. However, it doesn’t tell you whether the device accurately reads the amount of carbon monoxide in the room. You can buy a test kit with a CO canister to safely expose your detector to carbon monoxide levels that should make the alarm go off. A professional electrician can also test and install carbon monoxide monitors and smoke detectors, granting you peace of mind.

Are Plug-in Carbon Monoxide Detectors Effective?

Yes, plug-in monitors work just as well as battery-powered devices. The best plug-in carbon monoxide detector for your home is one with a battery backup. That way, you know your monitor will also work in case of a power outage. Choose a plug-in detector that will fit your home’s outlets, and you can install it yourself. It will alert you to CO leaks, including from gas heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, stoves, water heaters, and clothes heaters.

When Your Detector Finds an HVAC Leak, Call the Professionals

When your carbon monoxide detector goes off, immediately evacuate your home and call 911 and the gas company. The utility or firefighters may identify the CO leak as coming from one of your appliances. In that case, it’s time to repair or install a new stove, clothes dryer, hot water heater, or furnace.

The professionals at Mister Sparky can also assist with carbon monoxide (and smoke detector!) systems. If they point to your furnace or HVAC system as the source of the leak, contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Muncie. We provide emergency HVAC service so you can relax at home, safe and worry-free, as soon as possible. Give us a call at (765) 204-1218 or book an appointment online.