Carbon Monoxide Detector Review

The importance of carbon monoxide detectors

Unlike smoke detectors, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors monitor invisible, odorless and tasteless CO, a toxic gas that is produced when carbon-based fuels (like wood, oil, coal, kerosene and natural gas) burn incompletely. Exposure to CO in homes is often due to improperly installed stoves, furnaces or heaters -- appliances that burn natural gas, kerosene or other fuels. However, even all-electric homes can benefit from of the use of CO alarms, since using a generator during a blackout or flood can produce carbon monoxide. And consistently inhaling this gas over time can lead to CO poisoning, a potentially life-threatening condition, prompting such initial symptoms as dizziness, nausea and fatigue. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, the condition is extremely common. They say "carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of unintentional death from poison" each year.

Carbon monoxide detectors are classified by three power sources: products that plug into electrical outlets, items that are battery-operated, and hardwired detectors that connect to a home's existing electrical system. Plug-in CO detectors don't require installation, but they may not be the best for homes with pets or young children -- both can easily pull the units out of the wall, inhibiting their operation.

Alternately, CO detectors that connect to the home's wiring system or are powered by battery can be mounted higher on a wall or ceiling -- a plus when it comes to detection. That's because appliances that produce carbon monoxide also produce heat, so CO gas rises along with heated air. For this reason, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises that "detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor." (Obviously you'll need to be mindful of replacing batteries in battery-powered CO detectors.) Hardwired models, meanwhile, are always "on" but require professional installation; you'll often see hardwired CO detectors in new homes.

We found a comprehensive review of carbon monoxide detectors at ConsumerReports.org. In their recent evaluation, editors tested 10 units' ability to accurately detect both high and low levels of CO. Each product's digital display and voice-alert options were also analyzed. All models possessed peak-level memory, a feature that saves a record of the highest CO level detected. If you have multiple CO detectors, peak-level memory can help emergency responders zero in on the source. The ConsumerReports.org review includes a good mix of interconnected and standalone models, as well as battery-operated, hardwired and plug-in devices.

We also discovered a helpful comparison chart of features at AlarmSpecs.com, a safety site that provides a comparison of approximately 200 CO and smoke detector models. However, this site doesn't conduct independent testing. User reviews are also helpful when it comes to CO alarms. Owners can report ease of use, durability and false-alarm issues with specific models.