Carbon monoxide (CO) poses one of the most serious hazards you face indoors and sometimes out, and the only way to tell if it's present is with carbon monoxide detectors. Because it's colorless, tasteless and odorless, this gas poses a serious risk to your health, as it replaces the oxygen in your bloodstream and can be fatal.
Fortunately, CO detectors are easily available and affordable as battery-operated devices, plug-in or hard-wired units. Choosing them with convenience in mind is important, but a few other factors exist that may influence the types you choose, like:
- At-risk factors. Not everyone handles CO the same. Those with heart or respiratory problems, pregnant women and infants have a lower tolerance. Standard CO detectors are set to trigger the alarm at higher levels of CO or lower levels over a prolonged period. If you have someone at risk in your family, it's a good idea to choose a high sensitivity detector that's calibrated to sound the alarm at lower levels of CO.
- Aging combustion appliances. Some hard-wired and plug-in detectors show a periodic readout of CO levels. Using these instead of battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors give you a better idea of how the much the CO levels build when the heating system, water heater or gas dryer runs. If they rise when they run, you'll have early warning that these appliances need servicing immediately.
Because symptoms can mimic other conditions, like the flu, fatigue, sleepiness, headaches or nausea, it's a good idea to have a detector within 15 feet of bedrooms and preferably on each level of your home. They need to be placed 15 feet away from any fuel-using appliance to reduce false alarms. The battery-operated devices need to be checked monthly and those that use battery back-up, once a year.
Depending on your carbon monoxide detectors helps you stay safer throughout the year, as is an annual check-up of your home's heating system. To learn more, contact Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We proudly provide expert services for homeowners along the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts.
Image via Shutterstock.com
Nice people.
Great service.
Since 1928
Read From Over 10000 Happy Customers
-
Both Alex and Patrick were knowledgeable, courteous, and professional. They made a change that might have solved the recent problem and have structured a more complete solution. We agreed to this...
-
Mike was thorough, thoughtful and considerate. Covered their shoes before entering, surveyed my issue and provided an explanation of the services and costs. Great Job!
-
Alex did a great job providing an explanation of the services provided and went out of his way to offer assistance/advice on other issues outside of our scheduled maintenance visit.
-
Brian did an excellent job inspecting our 18-year old boiler and replacing some of the accessory hardware that needed it, he also adjusted the outgoing hot water settings for our radiators and...
-
Rodenhiser is my one stop shop!!! They take care of my HVAC, electrical, and plumbing issues & are always helpful addressing any questions I may have about the systems in my house! Everyone...
-
Chris G. and Nick V. showed up bright and early at 8am to fix my water heater issue. They were on time, polite and were able to fix an issue that has been plaguing my house for a good year. They...
Call Rodenhiser at 1-800-462-9710
When you are looking for plumbing, electrical, heating or air conditioning in the Route 495 / 128 area, you will be delighted that you called Massachusetts' trusted choice since 1928.
With a total dedication to professional workmanship and excellent service, discover why families and businesses continue to trust Rodenhiser after generations of service
