Hundreds of deaths occur each year in this country from exposure to carbon monoxide gas. It is colorless and odorless, and persons exposed to it have no way of detecting its presence other than with carbon-monoxide detectors.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Any kind of fuel-burning equipment produces carbon monoxide. As the fuel is burned, waste emissions contain the toxic gas. Any piece of equipment that doesn’t burn 100 percent of the fuel used is emitting carbon monoxide, and as a result, must be properly vented. Gasoline, oil, kerosene, natural and propane gas produce it. Even wood and paper or anything else that burns creates the gas. Once inhaled, it mixes with the body’s hemoglobin to create a toxic component that starves vital organs of oxygen
Proper Placement of Carbon-Monoxide Detectors
Your Connecticut home may have carbon-monoxide detectors but where they’re located is just as critical. A professional installer will know where they should go. But, just to make sure, here is a list of locations in your home where the detectors should be placed:
Each Level: Each floor should be equipped with at least one of your carbon-monoxide detectors. Don’t forget to treat the basement as a level in your home. Also, don’t forget any room that’s located over an enclosed garage.
All Sleeping Areas: The recommended placement is within 10 feet of a bedroom door.
Just Below Ceiling Height: Although many are located on the ceiling, the optimum detector location is on the wall, at eye level to an adult.
Where Detectors Shouldn’t Be
Do not install detectors in these locations:
Bathrooms or any other area with high humidity
Within 15 feet of heating, cooking or gas-powered appliances (such as dryers or water heaters)
Both battery-powered and wired units are available. The wired type lasts longer and has a wider range of options. Battery-powered detectors are more easily installed but require new batteries periodically. Prices for either are relatively the same.
We seriously recommend carbon-monoxide detectors in every home. If you have questions about your detectors, contact us at Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning. We can advise you on the best placement and various model options. Stay safe and call us with any questions. We’re here to help Connecticut homeowners.
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, visit our website.
Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning services South Windsor, Connecticut and the surrounding areas.