Homeowners often concentrate on ensuring their fire alarms are in working order; however, maintaining your carbon monoxide detectors can be as equally important to ensuring your family’s health and safety.
Knowing the proper timeline to replace your carbon monoxide detector and how to maintain the detector properly is key to keeping it in working order for your Raleigh, Chapel Hill & Durham area home.
When Should I Replace The Carbon Monoxide Detector In My Raleigh Home?
Carbon monoxide detectors have an expiration date printed on the back of the device. Typically, the expiration date is about 10 years. However, the carbon monoxide detector can give out before then, so consider replacing your Raleigh home’s detector every five to seven years. Homeowners in the Triangle region also need to replace the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector frequently. Set an alarm for every six months on your calendar to alert yourself it’s time to switch out the batteries.
How Do I Test My Carbon Monoxide Detector?
If you recently moved into your Raleigh-Chapel Hill area home and are unsure of how long ago the former homeowners replaced the carbon monoxide detector or if it is in working order, you can test it. On the front of the device, push the “test” button, and hold it down for about 20 seconds. If the detector beeps twice, it is in working order. If it doesn’t’ beep twice, first, replace the batteries and re-test. If the detector still fails to beep twice, it’s time to replace your carbon monoxide detector.
What Are The Different Types Of Carbon Monoxide Detectors I Can Buy For My Raleigh Home?
There are three main types of carbon monoxide detectors you can get for your Raleigh-Chapel Hill area home: a battery-operated detector, a detector that is hard-wired to your home’s electrical system and a smart-home carbon monoxide detector.
The battery-operated detectors are often the most affordable option that landlords or builders may choose. The hard-wired detectors can provide the most safety throughout all the rooms in your Raleigh home and will use batteries as a back up in a blackout. Smart home detectors can also provide proper protection, but it also needs to be connected to your electrical system and can be more expensive.
Should I Hire A Professional To Replace The Carbon Monoxide Detector In My Home?
The best carbon monoxide detectors are hard-wired into the electrical system of your Raleigh-Chapel Hill-Durham area home. The battery-operated detectors can be faulty because of human error, such as forgetting to replace the batteries.
Carbon monoxide detectors that are hard-wired will be able to alert you of high levels throughout the house because it’s connected to your electrical mainframe. If you choose a smart home detector, it’s essential to have it properly installed to ensure it works.
Hiring a professional electrician from the Mr. Electric of Raleigh-Chapel Hill will ensure your carbon monoxide detector is installed correctly and reduce the risks of malfunctioning. A professional installation will help the carbon monoxide detector best protect your family.
Mr. Electric’s team of certified electricians can install, replace, or repair carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home in the Raleigh-Chapel Hill area. Give the Mr. Electric office a call to schedule an experienced electrician to visit your home and provide you with the proper system to keep your family safe.
