Should carbon monoxide detectors be high or low on the wall?
Carbon monoxide detectors can go at any height, because carbon monoxide mixes evenly with room air instead of rising or sinking. Many plug in models sit low on an outlet, while hardwired ones mount on walls or ceilings. Follow the instructions that come with your specific detector.
The old idea that carbon monoxide rises like smoke is a myth. The gas is close to the weight of air and spreads through a room. Height matters less than distance from the source and from places where the unit could be blocked.
Avoid putting a detector behind furniture or curtains, or in a dusty corner where the sensor can clog. In West Valley homes, dust is a real factor, so wipe the vents on the unit gently each time you test it.
Look at the instructions packed with the unit, since a few models want to be installed at a specific height or distance from corners. If you have lost them, the manufacturer's website usually lists the manual by model number printed on the back of the detector.
Where should I put a carbon monoxide detector near the garage?
A carbon monoxide detector near an attached garage should be placed on the inside wall of the living space, not in the garage itself. Cars, mowers and generators in garages create short bursts of gas that cause false alarms. Put the alarm in the hallway or room next to the garage door.
Many Arizona homes have an attached garage, and a running vehicle in a closed garage can push carbon monoxide into the house. This is one of the best reasons to have a detector near the door between the two spaces.
Never run a car, generator or grill in a closed garage, even briefly. Generators belong outdoors, well away from windows and doors, and a detector inside is a backup, not a permission slip.
Keep the detector in a spot where you can hear it with the bedroom door closed. If the hallway alarm is too faint, an interconnected unit inside the bedroom, or a louder hardwired alarm, is a better choice than relying on a single distant device.
How many carbon monoxide detectors does a house need?
A house needs at least one carbon monoxide detector on each level and one outside each sleeping area. A single story home with one bedroom hallway may need only one or two, while a larger home needs more. Add one near any fuel burning appliance.
Gas furnaces, water heaters, stoves and fireplaces are the common sources. Many Sun City and Surprise homes run mostly on electricity, but gas is still common for heating, water and cooking, so a detector is worth having either way.
If you have a detached casita or a guest room added later, treat it as its own sleeping area. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save wall space and are easy for an electrician to install in the same location.
Keep a note of the date on the back and test monthly using the test button. If the alarm goes off during a test and then resets normally, it is working. If it fails to sound, replace it. Do not wait for a real emergency to find out.
Do hardwired carbon monoxide detectors work better than plug in ones?
Hardwired carbon monoxide detectors are not more sensitive than plug in ones, but they link to other alarms and have battery backup, so they keep working through outages. Plug in and battery models are fine if kept tested and replaced on schedule.
Interconnected alarms give a whole house warning, which matters at night when a bedroom door is closed. A hardwired setup with backup power also helps during monsoon outages, when a plug in unit could go dark.
Whichever type you choose, check the replacement date printed on the back. Carbon monoxide sensors wear out sooner than people expect, and a chirp at end of life is a signal to replace the whole unit.
Fuel burning equipment should be serviced as recommended. A detector is the last line of defense, not a substitute for maintenance. If you smell gas or have headaches that clear when you leave the house, treat it seriously and get help.
When should an electrician install carbon monoxide detectors?
An electrician should install carbon monoxide detectors when you want hardwired or interconnected alarms, when wiring is needed in a new location, or when existing alarms do not match. It is a quick visit and helps make sure every unit is placed and tested properly.
Adding a hardwired alarm means running power to a new spot and linking it to the others. That is not a DIY job if it involves opening walls, working in an attic or adding a circuit.
Vortech can install or swap alarms during a visit in Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West or Surprise. Small jobs like this are easy to book, and it is smart to bundle them with other items you have noticed around the house.
Ask about combination alarms if wall space or ceiling boxes are limited. These handle both smoke and carbon monoxide in one body, and an electrician can fit them to existing boxes so you do not need a second hole in the ceiling.
More questions: Electrician Questions: 12 Most Asked Answered for West Valley Homeowners