Is Carbon Monoxide detector reliable?

Question

I installed two Kidde carbon monoxide dectector in the 2nd floor and first floor. Those detectors have highest peak read in digital format. I checked the level every day. Some times it reads '0' and sometimes it reads up to '28'. I reset the dectors to '0' and wait usually. The pattern is, if I set the thermostat of our heaters to a highter temperator, it shows higher level. But sometimes, for no reason, it reads a higher level. Does anybody have this product and think this is realiable?

Answer 1

Kidde products are very reliable and I would feel very safe using them. The reason you are getting changing levels is because CO moves around in the house ie. when the furnace kicks off and on. It sounds as if you might have a problem with your furnace NEED TO GET IT CHECKED! As far as the cheaper models of detectors do not buy them. They are designed to be throw-away models, they worked fine for a while until they have too much CO pass over their sensors and they start to give erroneous readings. The digital models have sensors in them much like the ones that we use on the fire-ground they are very sensitive and very reliable. Kidde products are widely used in the fire service with a great deal of success, I put my life and my firefighters in their hands all the time and they haven't let me down yet.

Answer 2

Numbers below 30 are not dangerous, but indicate there may be CO in the air. If both detectors indicate the presence of CO, it is probably there.

You can get a copy of the user manual from the internet. Try Kidde carbon dioxide detector. It gives helpful suggestions on locating CO detectors, and information on their operation.

The detectors are not heat sensitive. I assume the heaters are gas-fired. If you see higher levels of CO when the heat is on, perhaps there is a leak in a combustion chamber. You could turn on one heater at a time and see if it affects the CO reading.

If you still have trouble, I would like to hear from you.

Answer 3

Carbon monoxide detectors are pretty much the same as any other equipment on the market - If you spend at the Yugo level you don't get a Lexus............

Most of the detectors offered at the retail level are generally unreliable. Several studies have determined this to be true and the industry that manufactures detectors is trying to achieve better results.

You might want to check Consumers Reports and see what they have to say? Good luck.

Answer 4

Not having experience with the model yor describing I can't give direct feedback. On the whole, electronic gas detectors have gotton to a point that they can be relied upon for a good level of accuracy. The unitis used by a Fire Department are tremendously useful and can detect more than one gas. Depending on your type of furnace you may be producing higher CO concentrations when you have yout thermostat set higher.

Answer 5

the best co detectors are the cheep ones that change the colour of the button when co is detected they are cheep but work like a treat, i had the kidde ones in my old house but never really felt secure with it so i bought some of the cheep ones and they made me feel more at ease!

Answer 6

I'm not sure of the danger thresh hold on your detector, but if it is high you may want to call your heating and air person. High levels of co2 when your heat is on usually means damage or cracks in the heat exchanger.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

It should be zero. You are in danger. Carbon monoxide DOES NOT exist naturally, it must be produced by improperly vented combustion. GET YOUR FURNACE and CHIMNEY CHECKED fast!! This is the heating season and as you demand more heat you will produce more CO and more DANGER.

Answer 9

Wow -
My detector NEVER reads above '0' . . . heat on, or off.
I would call my heat/air person if it ever reads something other than '0' . . . perhaps you need to do that - NOW!!!