Carbon Monoxide Detectors Buying Guide

Carbon monoxide can enter the home in many ways, and it can become a deadly problem. Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for over 2,100 deaths in North America annually, and a further 10,000 individuals seek medical attention for exposure to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide each year. Most of these complications occur in winter time, when fireplaces and furnaces are more heavily used. While many household appliances emit small amounts of carbon monoxide, it is not enough to be harmful when the appliances are in good working order. Harmful levels of carbon monoxide usually occur because of faulty equipment, the door to an attached garage being left open, nearby traffic, clogged ductwork, or similar situations. Each home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector, and it is best placed just outside of the sleeping areas.

A good carbon monoxide detector will protect the home from dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The detector will measure both the level of carbon monoxide present and the length of time it is there. If the carbon monoxide is present at low levels over a long period of time, or if it is present at high levels, the alarm will sound to alert those in the house of the danger.

There are several types of carbon monoxide detectors. They can differ in the method used to detect the carbon monoxide levels, in where they can be placed in the home, and in how they relay the information gathered. Each of these offers a different set of advantages and disadvantages, and these should be considered before purchasing a carbon monoxide detector for the home.

There are three types of carbon monoxide detectors, each using a different method to monitor a house's levels of carbon monoxide: metal oxide semiconductor carbon monoxide detectors, biomimetic carbon monoxide detectors, and electrochemical carbon monoxide detectors.

Metal Oxide Semiconductor Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Metal oxide semiconductor carbon monoxide detectors, the oldest of carbon monoxide detector's sensor technology, use heated tin oxide to detect the levels of carbon monoxide in the air. The carbon monoxide, when it reaches a high enough level, reacts with the tin oxide in the detector. This sets off the alarm, alerting the household of the presence of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Metal oxide semiconductor carbon monoxide detectors use more energy than other sorts of detectors, and so must always be plugged in to an AC power supply. They come with a back-up battery power supply, in case of power failure. The metal oxide semiconductor units respond quickly to the presence of carbon monoxide. The down side is that they may be tripped by other household chemicals, including some that are commonly used. A further disadvantage exists in high humidity areas, since exposure to moisture degrades the sensor slightly, making it unsuitable for areas where there is a high level of humidity.

Biomimetic Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Biomimetic carbon monoxide detectors mimic the body's response to carbon monoxide. They are equipped with a gel-coated disc. If carbon monoxide is present at dangerous levels, the disc turns black upon contact with the carbon monoxide, causing the alarm to sound.

Biomimetic carbon monoxide detectors are inexpensive and require little energy. However, they are not as precise as other detectors' sensor systems. Further, they can be tripped by high and low temperatures, or by high levels of humidity. They are best used in an indoor setting where the temperature and humidity level are consistently controlled.

Electrochemical Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Electrochemical carbon monoxide detectors are the most elaborate of the carbon monoxide detectors' sensor systems. Equipped with three platinum electrodes placed in an electrolyte solution, the unit will generate energy when it comes into contact with carbon monoxide. This sets off the alarm, alerting you of the danger.

Electrochemical carbon monoxide detectors are highly sensitive to carbon monoxide. In fact, the electrochemical sensor is the most sensitive of the three types of sensor systems. Their sensors have, however, a shorter life span than the others and must be replaced every two years. Electrochemical carbon monoxide detectors can be a dangerous solution to the need for a reliable detector if the user is not cautious about keeping a check on the sensors.

Most industrial sites, however, prefer electrochemical carbon monoxide detectors, and these units often sport the most extra features, such as an excellent memory tool that allows for close monitoring of the carbon monoxide present at a site over a prolonged period of time. If the user carefully monitors the sensor's life span, replacing the sensor every two years, then the electrochemical carbon monoxide detector is generally the best detector available.

Where Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Be Placed

Carbon monoxide detectors also offer different means of powering the unit, which makes a difference in where the detector can be placed. There are, however, advantages and disadvantages to the types of power supply utilized, and the buyer should consider his or her own situation before choosing the best carbon monoxide detector.

Battery powered carbon monoxide detectors offer flexibility in placement. They can be put virtually anywhere, such as on the ceiling, as is popular with combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Battery powered units are good because they can be placed at the ideal height for carbon monoxide detectors, which is about 5-6 feet from the floor, or at about eye level (that is, higher than most AC power sockets, as seen in the picture).

However, if the user forgets to check the batteries on the unit, the detector is not going to serve its purpose. If the buyer is not the type to keep up on checking the batteries regularly, an AC-powered detector or the wired-in units might be a better choice.

AC-powered carbon monoxide detectors can be plugged into any AC outlet. This ensures an ongoing power supply, negating the need to replace batteries on a regular basis. However, the user should not place the carbon monoxide detector in an outlet that has a switch, in order to prevent it being inadvertently turned off. Most plug-in carbon monoxide detectors have a back-up battery power supply.

Some carbon monoxide detectors can be wired in to existing alarm systems in the home. These units function as a part of a larger interconnected system, or they can be wired to directly into your home's electrical power supply, functioning independently from any other alarm system.

Wired-in units offer the advantages of both AC-powered and battery-operated units. They can be placed at the optimum level for a carbon monoxide detector, but also have a constant power source. They come with a back-up battery power supply, ensuring that they will remain active even in a power outage.

Information Displays on Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors can also be categorized by the way in which they relay information. The simplest use LED lights, and the most complex systems integrate LED lights, digital displays, and talking reports of the data gathered by the carbon monoxide detector over a period of time.

The most common type of carbon monoxide alarm is one that has a light or series of lights that show the safety level of the home's environment. Depending on the unit, either a single LED light will change colors based on the level of carbon monoxide present, or there will be a different color of light on to indicate the level of carbon monoxide in the house.

Some carbon monoxide detectors store information in digital format, displaying the data on a small screen, similar to the one pictured. The user may then view this information from the unit's screen. While the level of carbon monoxide is represented on the screen, most digital display carbon monoxide detectors also make use of LED lights. Some digital display units keep a record of information regarding carbon monoxide levels in the house over a period of time, and this information can be accessed by the user from the screen in order to monitor the peak levels of carbon monoxide in the home, even in the user's absence.

The talking carbon monoxide detector gives a voice record of the information gathered by the unit. Kidde makes several talking carbon monoxide detectors. Most talking units also integrate the use of LED lights, and some use digital displays as well.

Most carbon monoxide detectors come with a memory feature. The best memory functions allow the user to access records of carbon monoxide present in the home over a period of time. By noting the peak amounts present during that time, the user can ensure that the home is maintaining safe levels of carbon monoxide, even when the house is empty.

Many carbon monoxide detectors also serve as smoke alarms. This is one of the more popular features available.

All carbon monoxide detectors should have a test button, so that the user may monitor the detector and make sure it is in proper working order. The unit should be tested on a regular basis.

Carbon monoxide detectors range in price from $20 to $60. The prices vary depending on the options available with each model.

The $20-30 Range

Kidde sells several carbon monoxide detectors in the $20 range. These include both AC and battery powered models of the carbon monoxide alarm. All of Kidde's detectors in the $20 range use LED lights to display their findings.

Universal Security Instruments has several models ranging from $20 to $30. Most of these models are plug-in units, and one of them has a back-up battery power supply. One model is completely battery-operated. Most of the models that Universal Security Instruments manufactures in the $20 range use LED lights to relay information, with one of the models including a digital display.

First Alarm carries one battery-powered carbon monoxide detector for just over $22, and one AC-powered unit with back-up battery power supply for just over $25. Both display information by means of LED lights.

The $30-40 Range

Most of the carbon monoxide detectors that sell for over $30 are a combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector. Only Kidde's Electrochemical sensor carbon monoxide detector and the carbon monoxide detector with digital display and battery back-up from Universal Security Instruments do not include a smoke detector.

The Universal Security Instruments combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector is the cheapest available combination unit, selling at just over $30. Kidde sells combination units starting from $38, and First Alert's combination carbon monoxide and smoke detectors sell from prices beginning at $39.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Over $40

Kidde, Universal Security Instruments, First Alert, and BRK Electronics all sell combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector units ranging from above $40. The talking units manufactured by Kidde sell for prices ranging from $50 to $55. The premium carbon monoxide detector, also produced by Kidde, is a plug-in unit with digital reader and peak level memory. It sells for prices ranging from $50 to $62.

The top carbon monoxide detector manufacturers include:

Kidde
First Alert
Universal Security Instruments