Rowland 
It’s extremely crucial to understand the risks that are associated with CO or carbon monoxide, and how you can use CO detectors to protect yourself & your loved ones. However, there’s a massive amount of confusion related to this matter that we need to clear up – not only of the hazards but also the tools that can be used to detect them. Confusion leads to unwarranted fears, ultimately leading to expensive purchases.
Usually, CO detectors operate by locating the presence of CO gas that’s produced due to the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. CO detectors are highly critical in closed-off spaces where CO gases get trapped and thus the build-up gets increased over time. Thus, we have formulated some popular facts that you should take into account when ultimately choosing whether you need a CO detector.
Facts To Be Considered When Selecting CO Detectors
- CO Is A Major Health Risk
According to a professional inspector for a home inspection in Kent, every year, more than 50,000 people end up in hospitals due to CO poisoning. That’s not all though because more than 400 people die every year in the USA, due to CO poisoning. Therefore, carbon monoxide is an issue that’s not worth overlooking.
If you overlook such an issue, then the results can be dire.
- CO Detectors Will Not Detect Natural Gas
Even though both natural gas and CO have adverse consequences, it’s essential to learn that both are not the same thing. CO is the by-product of burning fossil fuels while natural gas is an original substance. And due to such a difference, the CO detectors will not monitor any natural gas.
However, you must know that both of these gases can cause suffocation as well as house fires, even though natural gas has a higher house fire risk. That’s why it would be prudent to look for detectors that can detect both natural gas as well as CO.
In case you have several appliances at your home that uses natural gas, some of them can turn out to be faulty, which is why these multipurpose detectors can come in handy. You can either proceed to purchase additional multipurpose units or replace your old CO detectors with new ones.
- CO Is Odourless
Although you may opt for multipurpose detectors, it’s crucial to recognize why such detection devices check specifically for CO and not natural gas. Even though natural gas is far more combustible than CO, natural gas manufacturers add a compound known as mercaptan in natural gas to help in identifying any leaks.
If you’re unaware, then you must learn that mercaptan is a harmless chemical. But, when the smell hits your nostrils, you’ll feel the rotten egg smell. Since carbon monoxide is odorless, a detector is required to spot its presence.
Lastly, we hope our above-mentioned facts about CO will help you make better decisions when choosing CO detectors.
