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More and more homeowners are getting the message that carbon monoxide detectors are as important to have in their homes as smoke detectors. Carbon monoxide is odorless and, at elevated levels, can cause illness or death. Carbon monoxide detectors are easy to find at home improvement stores or online, but Pipe Works Services sells, installs, and recommends low-level CO detectors because of the higher level of protection these units provide. A low-level detector will sense CO levels as low as 5 ppm (parts per million) and sound an alarm when levels reach 15 ppm and higher. CO levels above 30 ppm can be dangerous to heart patients, pregnant women, and children, according to Consumer Reports. Other, more standard detectors sometimes won’t alert you of a carbon monoxide presence until CO levels are at 70 ppm and above. Low-level detectors have increasing levels of alerts at 15, 35, and 70 ppm, with a “crisis” alarm at 70 ppm, which tells you that you should immediately find fresh air. A professional from Pipe Works Services can install a low-level detector for you, but if you install a unit yourself, know that experts recommend all CO detectors be installed at eye level or above. Consumer Reports magazine warns that you should install detectors no closer than 12 inches from the ceiling and you should not install carbon monoxide detectors close to corners, windows, or vents. The National Comfort Institute, a training organization for HVAC pros, recommends placing a CO detector in or near the master bedroom if you only have one, but the institute strongly recommends at least one detector on each floor of your home. If you live in a single-story home, it’s a good idea to place a detector at each end of the home. A unit near the kitchen and other bedrooms is also a good idea, but the area should have good air circulation. Car exhaust will set off the detector, so garages are not good locations for CO detectors. Call Pipe Works Services for more information about low-level detectors or expert advice on any home comfort issue. We have your safety in mind. Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Pipe Works Services serves Chatham, NJ, and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website.
