Carbon Monoxide Detectors: The Ultimate Guide

Carbon monoxide can be found in many home appliances and is produced naturally when burning fuels like wood, oil, natural gas, propane, coal or kerosene. This invisible, odorless, tasteless gas can be poisonous in high amounts.

We’ve compiled a guide that not only tells you what produces CO but we’ve also added some tips and tricks to help prevent CO leaks from happening in the first place.

At ADT, we want to help keep you and your family safe. Here are some tips to help prevent carbon monoxide threats in your home.

What are carbon monoxide detectors, and how do they work?

Carbon monoxide detectors sense levels of CO gas and alert you if dangerous levels are detected. There are three types of carbon monoxide alarms: biomimetic alarms, metal oxide semiconductors, and electrochemical sensors.

• Biomimetic sensors: Use a gel that changes color when too much CO is absorbed. The changing color is what activates the alarm.

  • Change out the gel pack periodically to lessen the chance of the gel getting contaminated.

  • These sensors can last 2+ years with an alkaline battery or up to the lifespan of the biomimetic sensor with a lithium battery.

• Metal oxide semiconductor sensors: These utilize an integrated circuit that detects CO through changes in the electrical current.

  • These sensors don’t typically require batteries and have a lifespan of around five years.

  • You should test these sensors annually.

• Electrochemical sensors: Electrodes in this alarm are immersed in a chemical solution that senses changes in the electrical current. Once the current changes, the alarm goes off. 

  • These are the most common in the United States.

  • Lifespan is typically from 5-10 years.

  • Test these alarms at least annually, but preferably monthly.

Are CO detectors required in my home?

CO detectors have different regulations regarding use depending on where you live. Some states require that you have one in every enclosed room, while other rules dictate that if you have a CO detector in every room you have a smoke detector.

• Thirty-eight states and Washington, D.C., require CO detectors in every private home.

• You must have an alarm in Maine, Maryland, Illinois, Connecticut, and California school buildings.

While a majority of states do have carbon monoxide alarm requirements, we highly recommend that your home have a carbon monoxide monitor in these areas:

• On every floor, even the basement.

• Outside each bedroom or sleeping area.

• In your attached garage.

• At least 10 feet from the garage door leading to and from your home and in the room above your garage.

• At least 15 feet away from gas-burning appliances, like fireplaces or stoves. (These appliances could cause false alarms.)

How can you protect your family from carbon monoxide?

Many instances of CO poisoning are preventable if you have fuel-burning appliances properly installed, vented, and maintained.

Some general rules when using gas-powered appliances:

• Never use generators, charcoal grills, or camp stoves in an enclosed area.

• Ensure that your equipment is regularly serviced and maintained. (If devices need servicing, you should call a qualified professional.)

• Never run cars for an extended period in an attached garage.

• Immediately repair any potential leaky hoses or exhaust pipes in your car.

What are some common sources of CO?

Any time you burn fuel like charcoal, wood, oil, propane, or natural gas, CO is created. It’s also made when any type of smoke is produced, including anything from brush fires to vaping. Here are some common sources of carbon monoxide gas:

• Boilers

• Water heaters

• Camping stoves

• Furnaces or chimneys

• Fireplaces

• Generators or other gas-powered appliances like lawn equipment, power tools (i.e., high-pressure washers, floor buffers, compressors, welders), and grills

• Gas stoves and ovens

• Clothes dryers

• Gas-powered boats

• Stored wood pellets

Boilers and Water Heaters:

Gas leaks are more common in older boilers, where leaks are more prone to cause water damage. To prevent gas and water leaks, it’s a good idea to get your boiler and water heater regularly serviced.

Camping stoves:

Always treat camping stoves with care since they not only produce CO gas but can potentially burn you, too. Though carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, many portable camping stoves run on propane or butane. A chemical in these canisters smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, so it helps you determine if there’s a leak. 

Furnaces or chimneys:

If your chimney or furnace is working correctly, it should direct the CO gas through the pipes and vent it outside. It’s a good idea to check these items if you’re experiencing reverse airflow, soot, or acidic water vapor, as this could mean CO is entering your home.

The Chimney Safety Institute of American (CSIA) suggests you do an annual check-up to ensure that your furnace and chimney are in good working order. 

Fireplaces:

Be on the lookout for fallen soot, excessive fumes or smoke, rust or creosote buildup, flue blockages, damaged flue liners, or improperly installed venting. You should also make sure to open dampers before using the fireplace.

Even if you don’t regularly use a fireplace, the chimneys often vent gases outside from furnaces or water heaters, so it’s vital that you keep an eye on your fireplace and still do an annual inspection. If you do use it regularly, make sure a professional chimney sweep cleans and inspects your chimney once a year, too.

Generators or other gas-powered appliances:

Exhaust from generators contains high levels of carbon monoxide gas, so you should never use one inside the home, garage, or any other enclosure. Fans or an open window do not provide proper ventilation.

When using a generator outside, keep it at least 20 feet from your home, and make sure to direct the exhaust away from any open vents, doors, or windows.

Never use gasoline-powered tools inside buildings unless the engines are outside.

If you use a high-pressure power washer or other gas-powered items, ensure the pump and engine are outside and away from any air intakes; only use the wash line or hose indoors.

If you work with these power tools a lot, buying a small, personal carbon monoxide monitor may be beneficial. These items beep if high levels of CO are sensed, so you can make sure to move to an open area.

Gas stoves and ovens:

Never use a range to heat your home, and always make sure you turn the hood fan on when using the range.

When using gas-using kitchen ranges, make sure you:

• Keep the stove or oven clean.

• Follow the manufacturer’s operating manual.

• DON’T block or cover the vent or vent holes.

• DON’T use with the door open.

Have a certified technician tune the oven or range once a year, especially if the burner’s flames are yellow or red, they have soot, or you experience issues getting the burners or pilot to light.

Remember: If your CO alarm frequently warns you that levels are rising when using the range, it’s time to have an experienced technician check it out.

Clothes dryers:

To prevent carbon monoxide in your gas dryer, regularly clean the vent and ensure that ventilation is maintained correctly. Electric dryers don’t produce CO.

Boats:

Boats can produce CO in many ways, ranging from their engines to CO level and exposure length generators for water heaters. When installed correctly, appliances on your boat create a negligible amount of CO. Make sure your devices are correctly installed, adequately ventilated, and appropriately maintained and avoid swimming or sitting in areas where the engine vents their exhaust.

Areas on your boat where you may find increased levels of carbon monoxide:

• Traveling at prolonged speeds or idling too long in the water may build up CO in the cockpit, bridge, cabin, aft deck, or other open areas.

• If your boat has a rear vented exhaust system near the deck or swimming platform. Some experts suggest avoiding this area for at least 15 minutes once your engine is off.

Avoid blocking vents or exhaust outlets, and make sure that when you dock, you’re at least 20 feet away from boats that are running their generators or engine. 

And remember, if you’ve overloaded your boat, or if it’s operated at a high bow angle, you have an increased risk of creating a backdraft that traps CO.

Wood stoves and pellets:

If you use wood stoves, pellet stoves, boilers, or fireplaces, ensure they are correctly installed and have appropriate ventilation. Wood pellets should be stored in a separate outdoor structure from your home, in a building that allows outside ventilation. 

No matter what item you’re using, it’s essential to know the signs of CO exposure. 

If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately vacate the area and go to a hospital for further evaluation.

What are some symptoms of CO poisoning?

According to the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health, some symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to flu-like symptoms. Since bodies process things differently, you may feel a combination of these symptoms, so it’s essential to listen to your body and react accordingly if these symptoms start affecting you.

Initial and moderate CO poisoning includes feelings of:

• A mild headache

• Breathless

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Exhaustion or weakness

• Even more intense headaches

Sustained exposure may cause these additional symptoms:

• Upset stomach or vomiting

• Chest pains or tightness

• Sudden sleepiness

• Confusion

• Irritability

• Impaired judgment

Continued high levels of CO exposure include:

• Lack of coordination

• Rapid loss of conscience

• Higher levels of confusion and disorientation

• Brain damage

• Or even death

Symptoms are directly related to two factors: both the CO level and length of exposure. A person’s health should be considered since someone with lung problems may experience symptoms more rapidly than a healthier person.

Additionally, there are different regulations for exposure levels. For example, OSHA prohibits working in exposure limits above 50 ppm in an 8-hour timeframe. NIOSH bases their data on cardiovascular effects, so they consider limitations above 35 ppm within 8-hours.

Healthy adults may not experience any symptoms, even if their home reaches 50 ppm, so it’s important to consider any alert from your CO sensors.

What carbon monoxide levels will set off the alarm in my home?

CO levels in the home are measured using two factors: parts per million (ppm)—from 0 to 1000-ppm—and the length of exposure.

The standard of measurement is 9-ppm over 8 hours or 35-ppm over 1 hour. 

• 40-ppm has a response time of 10 hours.

• 50-ppm has a response time of 8 hours.

• 70-ppm responds in 1-4 hours.

• 140-ppm responds in about 10-50 minutes.

• 400-ppm responds in 4-15 minutes.

Carbon levels in the home:

• 50-ppm and below is considered a low threshold, and most healthy adults don’t show symptoms. No unfavorable effects within 8 hours.

• 200-ppm: At 2-3 hours, slight headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness after.

• 400-ppm: After 1-2 hours of contact, a headache and nausea may occur, with more life-threatening symptoms after three hours.

• 800-ppm: After 45 minutes, symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness. After 1-2 hours of exposure, collapse, and unconsciousness, then potentially death within 2-3 hours.

• 1,000-ppm: After 1 hour of exposure, possible unconsciousness.

• 1,600-ppm: Within 20 minutes after exposure, some symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness. Potentially death within one hour.

• 3,200-ppm: After only 5-10 minutes, headache, nausea, and dizziness may occur. And after 30 minutes of exposure, collapse and unconsciousness.

• 6,400-ppm: After 1-2 minutes, headache and dizziness. Loss of consciousness and potentially death after 10-15 minutes.

• 12,800-ppm: After 1-3 minutes, immediate effects occur, including loss of consciousness or potentially death.

[Source] [Source] 

How to tell the difference between CO poisoning and the flu?

Some symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to flu symptoms, like nausea, fatigue, and weakness. The main difference between the two is that fever often accompanies the flu.

Here are a few other indications that your home may have a CO leak:

• Feeling better when you move away from home.

• Instant sickness for every family member. In comparison, the flu tends to spread from person to person.

• Symptoms increase when you’re using equipment that uses fuel.

• Family pets are suddenly sick.

• You don’t have typical flu symptoms like fever or swollen lymph nodes.

What to do if you suspect CO poisoning?

The most important thing you should do if you suspect high levels of carbon monoxide is to grab your family and pets and leave, opening windows or doors on your way out, if possible. Once you’re outside and safe, immediately call the fire department.

If anyone in your family feels sick or experiencing CO poisoning symptoms, take them to an emergency room or call 9-1-1. Doctors may need to treat you with oxygen to replace the carbon monoxide in your blood.

Carbon monoxide statistics and facts:

Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit an emergency facility due to accidental CO poisoning each year [1]. 

• Over 400 people die a year from CO poisoning [1].

• Twenty-seven states, and D.C., currently require carbon monoxide detectors in private dwellings [2].

• An additional 11 states require CO detectors in private homes [2].

• CO can come from car exhaust, cigarette smoke, a camping stove, and many other devices you commonly use.

The likelihood of CO poisoning is 3.2x higher in homes that don’t have a carbon monoxide alarm.

• People with anemia, asthma or the very young and very old are more susceptible to getting sick from CO poisoning [1].

• Smokers typically have higher carboxyhemoglobin levels in their blood, formed by combining carbon monoxide with hemoglobin.

• Red blood cells absorb CO more quickly than oxygen [1].

• Once inhaled, CO replaces oxygen in your blood with CO [1].

Help protect your home from carbon monoxide with ADT.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is often preventable with a CO detector, so it’s essential to ensure that one is installed and working correctly in your home. With ADT’s professional monitoring services, we call you and send help if we can’t get a hold of you. So you can rest assured that your home is better protected 24/7.

Get reliable carbon monoxide detection and rapid response with ADT.