We're thinking it might be old...We changed the betteries.....And it don't go off for a few weeks....at a time, then it goes again. We bought a new one today, and will have them both. If they BOTH go off we have a problem....Otherwise we will only hear the old unit. We have a new gas fireplace, our furnace stay off most of the time. we have it off all night. Light it only when we're in the living room and home. I am worried it might be the fireplace. but doubtful. Does anyone have any ideas on this? COULD it just be our alarm unit? Our battery is low light is NOT on. Has this happened to anyone else? No, we're not experiencing symptoms of poisoning..
2007-03-18 12:25:23 · 7 answers · asked by Your Asking Me? 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It could be the tester you have but do not take any chances on this. Wait until your alarm starts going off again and have the gas company to come out and check it. The fire department can also do this. Better safe than sorry.
2007-03-18 12:31:58 · answer #1 · answered by edj009 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the instructions that come with the detectors, they claim they are only good for 10 to 12 years. It was smart to get a new one.
Gas fireplace: I have one as well, and it is "ventless" which means it does not use a flue. The combustion gases go right into your living space, more or less like your stove and oven already do. I have an industrial handheld CO meter. At about 1 foot from the output of this thing I get 3 PPM of CO detected. But at 10 feet at any height, there is nothing detected. (Yes, it gets calibrated annually.) We always leave a window cracked per the gas units manufacturers recommendation. I have 3 CO detectors throughout the house - none have ever gone off. We've been using this thing for 6 years now.
As you already suggested, if both go off, contact your local fire department. If you want some reassurance, call their non-emergency number (in phone book) and most of them have a handheld unit and might perform a quick check at no charge. Especially as you have made an attempt to procure a new detector.
2007-03-18 14:48:55 · answer #2 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well here we are in March and at the end of the heating season. You now own a brand new shiny CO detector, hopefully one with a digital readout that also records peak readings. the benefit of this function is you can see what level the equipment was registering if it went off or if it was getting an Error reading.
That said, now is a great tie to call your heating contractor and request a clean and tune. Explain your concern with the CO detector and have him run draft tests on both the furnace hot water tank and fireplace. Ask whether he has a portable CO tester and request he run a test on your oven also. Many people forget that their gas ovens have almost the same BTU load as a waterheater and unlike a water heater they frequently vent right into your kitchen (sorry that range hood, even with the high dollar filter does not count with CO).
Simple test is hold tester 5 foot from appliance while it warms up to 400 degrees then insert the probe into the oven vent (top of stove at rear splash guard).
Ambient readings (In air)
0- 10 PPMnormal
10-34 PPM may need adjusting or cleaning
35+ PPM clean and tune, retest. if it still fails consider replacing.
In vent readings in excess of 200 PPM is also considered a fail.
2007-03-18 13:16:42 · answer #3 · answered by functionalanarchist 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Something is wrong very wrong here. It either is faulty or you have a build up of carbon monoxide. Which is colorless and odorless..Get a new one. carbon monoxide is a silent killer. If the new one acts the same way then you have carbon monoxide buildup. You can only lose by puttiing it off...You lose when the carbon monoxide kills you
2007-03-18 12:30:11 · answer #4 · answered by Jerry G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get yourself out of there.
My brother had the same problem. They nearly died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty propane heater. These things don't go off for no reason. Get it checked. You have a problem.
2007-03-18 12:34:30 · answer #5 · answered by Batty 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ask your gas company to check your gas lines for leaks. it is not uncommon. they will be happy to do it . abd i dont think they charge. could be coming from your new gas fireplace.
2007-03-18 13:11:26 · answer #6 · answered by oldtimer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call the fire dept. now they have the tools to check
NOW NOW NOW
2007-03-18 13:09:17 · answer #7 · answered by rvblatz 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋