Carbon Monoxide: I've Been Doing This Wrong My Whole Life

Are your carbon monoxide detectors working like they should? Would you even know if they weren't? We'll cover everything you need to know abot CO alarms and how you can make sure you and your family are safe from this silent killer. #health #safety #carbonmonoxide
🎬 CHECK OUT THESE RELATED VIDEOS! 🎬
• The Outlet Has Been Reinvented... And It’s Pure Genius: • The Outlet Has Been Re...
• You're Using the Wrong Screwdriver For Electrical: • You're Using the Wrong...
• 6 MISTAKES DIYers Make When Wiring Outlets: • 6 MISTAKES DIYers Make...
📦 PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO AND MY FAVORITE ELECTRICAL TOOLS 📦
You can use the product button in the video or check out these links below.
• SEE THE TWO HIGHEST RECOMMENDED CO DETECTORS: geni.us/4pKt3Q
• Milwaukee Fastback 6 in 1 Flip Knife (Amazon - Check out the "New From" section on the right for the best deals): geni.us/HgUx
• Milwaukee Fastback 6 in 1 Flip Knife (Home Depot): homedepot.sjv.io/e4ydK
Any link here may be an affiliate link, which means you pay the same price as always but we make a small commission, which helps out our channel - so thanks!
👍 WANT TO HELP SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL? 👍
Become a channel member! Hit the "Join" button or head to / @lrn2diy
Support us on Patreon: / lrn2diy
👕 LRN2DIY SHIRTS, HOODIES & MORE 👚
lrn2diy-shop.fourthwall.com/
📸 MY FILMING GEAR 📸
Here’s everything I use to film my videos, including cameras, lights, microphones and more: kit.co/nilsynils/my-filming-gear
🕶 SOCIAL MEDIA 🕶
Facebook: / lrn2diy
Instagram: / lrn2diy
Twitter: / lrn2diy
TikTok: / lrn2diy
📲 MORE DIY GOODNESS 📲
Check out our many projects and plans at
lrn2diy.com
📲 WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 3D PRINTING? 📲
All things 3D Printing at The 3D Printing Zone
/ the3dprintingzone
📚 TWO FREE AUDIOBOOKS! 📚
To get two free audiobooks from Audible, just follow this link: goo.gl/QGFC4Q
00:00 Introduction
01:42 Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
02:50 How Much Is Too Much?
04:25 What Are The Laws Around CO Detectors?
05:28 I Audit My Own Home: Not Good.
07:21 A Paramedic's Perspective
08:17 Which CO Detectors Are Worth Getting?
10:31 Where Should You Place Them?
12:18 Smart CO Detectors?
15:21 A FREE Smart CO Detector?
16:39 What About Gas Leaks?
18:17 Best Gas Detector?

[@dudeh9702]

Note on portable generators: Make sure you place them at least 10-15 feet away from the house if not more. Some friends ran their generator during a power outage, and CO still entered their house and killed their pets and a surviving dog woke them up. They had CO poisoning and had to go to the hospital. Dog saved their life.

[@LRN2DIY]

Great point. Sad that this happened but I'm glad it wasn't worse.

[@kennethdean4349]

As someone trained in combustion analysis, I have to point out the shortcomings of all the CO detectors you mentioned. UL standard 2034 requires that these detectors NOT display levels below 35 PPM and NOT alarm until 70 PPM for 2.5 to 4 hours. At that level you will be affected by CO. It is conceivable that there could be 69 PPM for days and weeks without the alarm sounding. Additionally, these alarms have a 25% failure rate as shown by a laboratory test by a professor at Ohio University. There are alarms which are do not meet the UL standard because they are LOW LEVEL alarms. They will sound at 15 PPM, which will alert occupants before they are affected by the gas. Also note that pressing the "TEST" button on the UL alarms does NOT test the sensor. I only proves that the battery and the horn are working.

[@mjwerner1998]

As a firefighter, I also highly recommend the CO detector you mentioned. In my own and other members of my department's experience, the separate wall plug ones are the most reliable. There are combination smoke and CO detectors but they seem to have a lot of false readings and malfunctions. Also, smoke detectors are meant to last 10 years and as you mentioned CO detectors last 7 years. By getting a combination detector you actually are having to replace your smoke detectors three years sooner than you otherwise would with arguably poorer quality results anyway. Another tip is if you happen to get CO readings or a detector going off DO NOT open any windows or openings in the house as you exit. Doing so actually makes it harder to figure out the source of the CO leak by venting the CO out of the house. Absolutely get out of the house but leave all the windows and doors closed as you leave. Great video!

[@TdrSld]

Retired Alarm Tech here, For best practice you ALWAYS put the CO detector at the point of creation. I have read stories about the whole house being filled before it every made it to the Master Bedroom where the only CO detector was and you can guess how that ended. So Always put the CO detector at the source, IE near the gas dry, gas heater, gas stove, fire place (even more so if it's in a bedroom) and so on. That way you catch it before it even has a chance to make it out to other rooms. Also don't put smoke detectors in or near kitchens, use heat detectors that way when you burn something you don't set it off. As for Texas law last I read, you don't have to have CO but you do have to have smoke/heat detectors. The smoke/heat must be in every bedroom and out side every bedroom door, the only exception to the outside of the bedroom door rule is if the bedrooms are down a hallway then you need a smoke/heat at the openings of the hallway

[@DaimyoD0]

Yeah I found that a little confusing, also that it's bad to put them on the ceiling because they could false alarm from a transient high level that isn't relevant to the area where you're breathing. If these things are tuned to go off at 100ppm, if there's 100ppm _anywhere_ in my house, I want to know it.

[@LRN2DIY]

Good info. I've been seeing a lot of conflicting info about where to place them and whether it's ok to do so near furnaces, water heaters, etc.

[@Bigfoot14000]

Most modern gas fireplaces have sealed combustion chambers and draw combustion air from outdoors. No exchange of combustion by products with room air. @@IvanNedostal

[@seetheworldfrommyharley]

@OskarHersch in Tennessee I heated my whole 2 story, 3bedroom with my fireplace and just ran the recirculation fan on my A/C, so I must be missing something in your comment?

[@Bigfoot14000]

Yes, I was speaking of the combustion chamber/firebox, which is isolated from the heat exchanger of the fireplace. These gas fireplaces produce respectable levels of heated air without allowing combustion by products (including CO) into the living space. @@seetheworldfrommyharley

[@ahow8017]

I put a smoke/ CO detector in my shop and so far the only time that it has gone off was when I was running my lawn tractor to get it warmed up for an oil change. I didn’t even think about it being an issue. When I am running a car I will always open up the door on the other side of the shop but I didn’t think to do it for the tractor. It was a nice reminder to keep it safe.

[@rl9702]

When my mom was young, she went to bed because she had a headache. The rest of her family weren't feeling great either but didn't know what was going on. Thankfully a neighbor randomly dropped by, as people sometimes did before tech, and knew instantly what was going on and told everyone to get out of the house. Turned out the coal stove/heater thing they were using was leaking CO into the house. If the neighbor hadn't dropped by, it could have killed my mom's whole family before I was born... Nowadays I change the rechargeable batteries on my detectors ever time I change the clocks for daylight savings 😅

[@LRN2DIY]

So scary! And a great idea about changing the batteries with the clocks.

[@AndyC2_]

Great plan re the change of batteries 👍🏻

[@sdotcire2574]

Great timing for this video for me. We just purchased a new home and I cut the power to the house to install my nest thermostat. I'm still getting familiar with the house so I thought it was safer to just cut the power to the entire house. Right as I start pulling the old thermostat out, all of the carbon monoxide detectors start going off. This was like five minutes after I cut the power, so I couldn't believe it was a true alarm but I was still freaking out so I turned the power back on and all of the alarms stopped. Looked online and figured out at least one detector must have a dead or dying backup battery and it's triggering everything else. Luckily, the first one I found pulled the battery out of was the culprit. The house was inspected but don't think he cut the power to the entire house, so this was a good way to bring my attention to their maintenance without being a dangerous situation. We have gas heating and a fireplace, so the risk is definitely there. Good to know we have plenty of detectors because it was extremely annoying when they went off. Luckily, my wife and the baby were out of the house for that and it I found out without it being in th middle of the night lol.

[@LRN2DIY]

Pretty interesting that the whole home power being out exposed that - makes me wonder what else that might reveal. Thanks for sharing.

[@raygunsforronnie847]

One of my CO detectors is only a few feet from the first air duct outlet from the gas furnace. If there is a heat exchanger failure that would be the first detector to sound. Proximity to duct outlets is usually not optimum placement but this serves a specific purpose. The furnace is at the opposite end of the house from the sleeping area, and it would be necessary to traverse an area with more CO to reach an exit.

[@larrylacostjr.2075]

One of your best videos made. Thank you for all your hard work and information in this video

[@jamesgraybeal9572]

Thank you, Nils. Very helpful! I am a tenant for a rental property right now but my wife and I want to own a home eventually. I looked around to see where our detectors are placed. Definitely something not to take for granted.

[@alonzohollingsworth7712]

Great topic to share and speak on. The 5in1 KIddie detector is something I'm interested in and will certainly look into. I really appreciate you taking the time to not only look out for the safety of your family, but also for your subscribers and their family as well. Thank you.

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words.

[@sjpropertyservices3987]

Thanknyou for posting this video. I am a home inspector and see homes without proper CO detectors on a regular basis. I have three hard wired combination smoke/CO detectors at my residence. Two are outside the bedrooms and the other is in the mechanical room where the boiler is located. I also have smoke only detectors inside each bedroom. Lastly, I have the Kidde combination gas leak/CO detector close to where the only propane burning device (gas range) is located. When it comes to smoke, CO, or gas leaks you need to be aware of the hazards and take necessary precautions. This includes periodic testing of alll detectors and replacing them as necessary.

[@paulloughlin3732]

Great video, thanks for all the research and hi from Ireland!

[@robdewhirst7525]

Having also hid a cheapo-contractor-installed detector in a linen closet, I could relate to this. In the book "Build" by Tony Fadell, he goes into the woes of designing a smoke detector (which as the familiar downsides of bad CO detectors). It's hilarious to read about the stories of people beating ceiling-mounted detectors to death with the end of a broomstick. There's good info in this book about the backstory to why both smoke and CO detectors are awful.

[@Vlican]

Thank you so much for posting this video. This video will save lives

[@user-rr4hn3qq9p]

Great video! Appreciate your research. 👍

[@Christy0411]

Thank you so much! This was the most informative video I have seen. Thank you for your time and effort that went into this. You definitely saved some lives!

[@David-fb8fn]

Thank you so much for this video. I certainly needed the reminder to go check on mine.

[@Charlielizard]

Thanks a million! Am shopping today and following your advice. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks for watching! Stay safe out there.

[@RLJSlick]

Great video, thank you for this info, going to check my detectors ASAP!

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks for watching! I hope the audit goes well :)

[@fredhume6699]

Awsome video Nils! I am always learning new things from your videos but this really hit home for me. Will be doing a CO detection audit in my home ASAP. Happy new year and all the best to you and your family in 2024. Keep up the fantasik content. Cheers!

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks, Fred! So glad you found it helpful. All the best to you and yours too!

[@JeRKII]

Dude this is awesome video hope it goes viral. Bad thing of this video weither it goes viral or not is you truly will never know how many lives this has saved. Keep up the good work.

[@Tom-Travels]

Very timely video. I have 2 different CO detectors, plus I have a Natural Gas Detector. So far, I have never had a CO detector go off, except during tests, and once in my service truck just after I as I was getting dizzy, so dizzy...

[@LRN2DIY]

Scary! I hope you were able to figure that one out. Car deaths due to CO are pretty common, unfortunately.

[@davidbertrand6884]

Lots of homes like my 1960’s built one, don’t have an abundance of electrical outlets. There are 3 in the living room. 2 in each bedroom, 1 in bathroom that is operational when the light is on, 5 in the kitchen but 1 can’t get too, 1 is dedicated , I is under a cabinet for phone adapter. 2 in wash room for washer/dryer and a freezer. So to get those plug in types, would require a redesign and rewiring of my home. I know family is important. Had my natural gas line to the house replaced 2 years ago and upgraded the meter and regulator. I have a battery carbon monoxide detector in the ceiling of my hall to the bedrooms, and one in living room ceiling just outside of the kitchen. They aren’t out of date. Listened to you video 1-2-2024 👍🏻 🇺🇸❣️❣️ So, I have the battery type carbon monoxide & something else that it checks but cannot remember in the ceiling in the hallway between those bedrooms and the entry to the bathroom ( all three door to those rooms open into that haul within 4 feet. Yep a small 2 bedroom brick home. There’s another on a short living room wall that doesn’t have any electrical outlets, but there is a smoke alarm kiddie type that goes off when my wife is cooking something that causes smoke. Neither of us smoke . Watched your video 1-2-2024, and have watched others 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@factChecker01]

Now you got me started on the subject of how hard it is to determine which smoke detector is beeping. WHY DON'T THEY ALL HAVE AN LED TO INDICATE A LOW BATTERY?

[@LRN2DIY]

Right!? I totally agree. One of the most annoying experiences ever and always at 3 am.

[@raygunsforronnie847]

The last 2 batches of smoke/CO detectors I got have annoyingly bright LEDs that flash for battery status and other conditions. The first were purchased in 2012 so I think we're seeing a trend.

[@factChecker01]

@@raygunsforronnie847 That's interesting. Within the last half year, I searched for smoke detectors that would indicate with a red LED when their battery needed to be replaced. I only found one model out of dozens. The others would only give the notoriously hard-to-locate "chirp".

[@Benoit-Pierre]

In europe, low batt produces a beep every 5mn, for at least 1 month; up to 6 months depending on the batt manufacturer. Energizer sux, I prefer Duracell, but, for CO2, the best is to buy the Lithium Varta; it's not rechargeable lithium, it's low discharge single use lithium cells, and they last up to 14y, so, this discharge curve give more time to the CO2 detector to beep. You can compare this discharge curve on head lights. With Energizer, the light will dimm, then light will flash for low batt after 3 months of use, and stop working 1 w later. With same use and Duracell, I have low batt warning after less than 2 months of use, then, could use it for a full year. After 1y and half, was still working but light was very dimm (while after 4 months, energizer could not switch ON at all). So, energizer in CO2D may just beep for a few weeks and turn off immediately. You are much safer with real brands. There are more acurate tools to measure the discharge curve or a cell, but, you need to buy them at good price, and be an engineer to fully understand how to use them. So the head light comparison is non scientific, but cheap and gives good clues.

[@markarca6360]

Also to note that if you still use LNG, LPG, or propane for heating or cooking, you might also need a gas leakage sensor.

[@LRN2DIY]

Definitely. That second gas detector I showed covers all of those, which is pretty nice.

[@caseyhartman7094]

I have Google Nest Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors mounted on my ceiling throughout my home and 2 X-Sense Carbon Monoxide Detectors with a Digital Display. I'm surprised the X-Sense ones display 0 ppm even when using my gas stove. I do like that both models are smart. I wouldn't mind getting detectors for my master and guest bedrooms to place at a lower height.

[@SDWNJ]

This video reminded me that there's a plugin CO detector in the basement that needs to be replaced.I think I'll get a CO/combustible gas combo detector.

[@WillN2Go1]

Great video. Thanks. I travel with a CO detector. I know my house, I've done all the gas connections. Traveling? It's a nice hotel, but is there a leaky water heater down the hall? Is there a wire run behind the walls from a utility room? I sailed for three months on a boat. I loaned my CO detector to my crew mate who's berth was right above an engine. Later I found he'd moved it up to the saloon to use as a thermometer..... On board was a propane stove and a gas detector that kept going off. We couldn't smell gas. So a PPM reading would be really beneficial. It would break through our general conclusion that the detector was malfunctioning. It would read different levels and when we opened a hatch to air out the room the number would go down and we would accept that it is indeed working and we have a gas leak. We did have a gas leak, very small, maybe harmless, but not worth any level of risk. The detector went off so randomly that we figured it was malfunctioning. I probably have a couple of smoke detectors that are disconnected. They beep, always in the middle of the night, and there is no way to tell which one is doing it. (Who designs something like that?? Don't you want to know source of the problem?) Then it won't beep again until some random interval of time. Utterly useless. It's like they're intentionally designed to make you turn them off. Worse case of Boy Who Cried Wolf. They don't have a battery light or any other indicator. I'd like to see the logic for that design. Near the kitchen, you should be able to turn it off or cover it if you know your pan is just smoking and you've taken care of it. You're trying to air out the room and the thing is shrieking to wake the neighbors.

[@tonybaker87]

Great video! The other night one of my alarms went off (low battery warning) also in the middle of the night like always lol after searching for which one was beeping i changed the battery and was on my way. but now im thinking a little self home audit would be a good idea. Thanks agian for the great vid 👍

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing!

[@user-te3gl1dh3c]

I have the Kidde gas leak/CO detector shown in the video. If you use natural gas or propane appliances, spend the $49 and get one. Also, if you use natural gas, it's a bit lighter than air, so place it somewhere high. Propane is the opposite. It is somewhat heavier than air, so place it lower in your house. It will read GAS on the display during an alarm. If that's the case, avoid all switches and appliances, get out immediately and get away from the house, and then call 911 from outside.

[@MrGhettomedic]

All these deaths are avoidable. the Paramedic perspective is correct. Please note this as well. There is virtually no way that an entire group of people in a home can exhibit the exact same signs and symptoms at the same time. If you are showing signs of illness and another member of your household is showing the same signs that is not a virus, that is an exposure.

[@lawdog516]

Fantastic video from a retired Law enforcement officer with 43 years of service, I experienced this for my whole career, thanks for making this video.

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks for your service and thanks for watching too - glad to hear from someone who has seen this firsthand.

[@BiggMo]

…and have your gas furnace regularly inspected/serviced… cracked heat exchangers allow combustion gases to leak into the circulating air - delivering CO to every bedroom in the home

[@LRN2DIY]

Exactly. It was actually a video about cracked heat exchangers that helped prompt me to make this video after the gas leak scare we had. A very real threat to be sure.

[@stans5270]

If a hardwired CO detector[as shown] is beeping, don't unplug it. Open the nearest window and stick your head outside for fresh air. Repeat this until you get outside. Check the status of the alarm after an hour.

[@LRN2DIY]

Great point here. Always best to play it safe.

[@curtw8827]

You missed one of the greatest source, a car left running in an integral garage. Especially important where older people live. Put one in the garage or entry from the garage. All electric homes can have integral garages for gas powered vehicles.

[@Open-Tech]

14:35 those curious T3 stands for temporal three code three is your standard fire alarm tone found in buildings as well as your newer smoke alarms, T4 or temporal four is CO tone

[@nsudatta-roy8154]

I'm currently installing a residential steam boiler. Removing the failed unit, I learned that the exhaust-chimney was 90% blocked; and the circulator pipe at the boiler was essentially 99% blocked with "muck" and rust. Tragedy averted. While these units are designed not to ignite if the damper doesn't open, many people with less than optimally running units will lock these dampers in the open position. No Bueno!

[@LRN2DIY]

No bueno indeed! A great reminder to check those exhausts because you'd never know otherwise.

[@briangardner6190]

Scrolled through the comments to see but I didn’t see any regarding Apple HomeKit. So the HomePods can listen and send an alert to your phone if you have HomeKit set up on your phone. If you have HomePod pods or HomePod minis, you might as well since those are considered hubs. Once your home is set up, click the three dots in the top right corner. Select home settings. Scroll to safety and security and select that. Second option down is sound recognition, select that. You can turn the option on, and then select which HomePods can listen for the sounds if you have more than one.

[@KRich408]

I just purchased a 120 Year old home, I purchased 4 First Alerts like the one you have in this video but mine are CO, Smoke and Gas leak detectors. I got a good deal on them at the Red and Blue wholesale club (sorry YT deletes the post when you mention certain business names)

[@LRN2DIY]

Haha - the wholesale club shall remain unmentioned but Im' glad you got a good deal on good products.

[@Scotty_in_Ohio]

I've had good luck with the "works with Ring" CO / Smoke detector combo from First Alert - they run about $35 (when on sale) and run on AA batteries that last about 2 years. If you already have a Ring Alarm it's an easy add-on and while they are more expensive than some stand alone CO detectors they're about the same or less expensive than other CO/Smoke combo ones. The only downside is that they do not have a display of the CO PPM - I still have a non-smart device for that.

[@WilliamNAllen]

Very good video.

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks so much!

[@richardneff]

There are some smart devices that do have air quality monitoring that include CO, such as the Amazon AIQ device. I've got a few myself for both Alexa and Home Assistant integration. However, I don't rely on them as smart home devices themselves occasionally have issues (largely due to my constant tinkering in Home Assistant) So, I have "non-smart" both hardwired combo smoke/CO alarms (mounted) as well as stand alone CO alarms in the garage, furnace & water heater (ours are gas).

[@LRN2DIY]

Good to know - and it sounds like you're well covered at home, which is awesome.

[@Benoit-Pierre]

Video starts at 6:00 . 7:50 not possible in europe, because we have a low batt warning, that can beep from 1 to 3 months. Even low cost ones MUST have this feature.

[@1234fishnet]

In Vienna there are a lot of gas powered water heaters. Most of them are installed in the bathroom. During summer it can get so hot that the chimney doesn't vent the carbon monoxide. Therefore I always open a window and leave the door open.

[@LRN2DIY]

Definitely a scary situation and one to pay close attention to.

[@privacyvalued4134]

Modern homes have a direct connection between smoke detectors and there's a protocol that the units use to talk to each other. Seems like with a simple circuit, you could wire in a Pi Zero or similar module into the GPIO pins, connect the Zero to WiFi, and that would enable the DIY smart connectivity you are looking for.

[@am2dan]

I just sent the link for this video to my three children who own their own homes. All fairly recently bought but not new, and I don't know if they're required in older houses in their areas. (One son lives in a boonie county where practically anything goes.)

[@LRN2DIY]

Always good to share this info with loved ones. It's something that gets overlooked pretty regularly. All the best to you and your kids!

[@SDWNJ]

I had a smoke/CO detector fail a month after it was supposed to be replaced. It took me a while to realize what was wrong because it looked like it just needed a new battery. I replaced the battery and a day later it started beeping again. I did that a couple of times and started wondering if something was wrong with my batteries. I got out my multimeter and checked the voltage on the batteries and labeled them with the detected voltage to see if there was some pattern. Then I noticed a warning on the back of the detector that said "replace by" and listed the previous month. So evidently it failed with some component going high resistance such that the normal battery voltage was no longer sufficient.

[@hansangb]

@0:12 ah man. I know it's serious topic but the "Iocane. i bet my life on it" reference was RIGHT there!

[@LRN2DIY]

It's true - I could have made Humperdinck and Dread Pirate Roberts proud but... I had to restrain myself.

[@karynstouffer3562]

It's pronounced KID-uh. Fabulous information! Thanks!

[@LRN2DIY]

Thank you! I was wondering how that was pronounced.

[@chrisj9008]

I worked with the couple that you featured in your opening that passed away in Colorado. Truely sad event. I now work as a chief fire officer in a metro area and i can assure you CO is 100% a major challenge for us. A very common call. I will add... carbon monoxide can be cumlative, a small amount can build up to fatal levels over time. Its affinity for hemoglobin is very high compaired to other gases (7x oxygen or so if i recall)... when it binds to the hemoglobin, it prevents Oxygen from binding. So overtime your blood level goes up even though your at a low % in the environent. Also, with fire, hydrogen cyanide is another huge risk that is released during combustion. Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon Dioxide are called the toxic twins... and when combined potentiate the effect of each other. The results are deadly and often unreconginized for far to long. Thanks for doing this video. It is really that important.

[@LRN2DIY]

So sad that you had to go through the sadness of knowing them and seeing them pass away in such a tragic way. I appreciate your feedback on what to watch out for too. You're in a position where you see this more than almost anyone. Hopefully we can spread the word to make this less and less common. A very happy new year to you!

[@willmallory9085]

Thank you.

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks for watching, my man. Always good to hear from ya.

[@carlam6669]

Use (non-rechargeable) lithium instead of alkaline batteries for smoke / CO detectors. Alkaline batteries don’t last as long as they should because the Voltage threshold for activating the low battery alarm is fairly high and occurs before the battery is actually depleted. Lithium batteries hold a steady Voltage and then drop off rapidly at end of life but alkaline batteries gradually drop Voltage. The low battery alarm occurs in the middle of the night because batteries produce less Voltage as the temperature drops.

[@charlesvalkyrie4096]

Since I've checked your channel out the wife and I have learned a lot about things and you are dead on on most things. Also if you make your own pc in to a DVR system you can use Blueiris which can use any IP camera and gives you the option for response etc I think you should look in to it you might end up making a video

[@SteveKane9]

I leave my Echo Guard in Away mode at all times. Even when I'm home. This way I don't have to remember to turn on Away mode every time I leave, and I will always get notified for smoke or CO alarms.

[@dbf1dware]

I saw a KZbin video that started out as a possible stalker or break-in mystery because "someone" was leaving post-it notes around the person's apartment. After some back-and-forth online, someone suggested the poster might have been writing those notes himself and then having memory loss. Turns out, he was suffering low-grade CO poisoning. It can be very insidious.

[@sociopathmercenary]

One of the few benefits to living in an all-electric house. No CO worries.

[@AndyC2_]

Is your house detached? Separated from your neighbours ? If not then your neighbour could have a faulty fuel burning appliance and the CO can travel through walls/ceilings etc Got to think outside the box !

[@JCWren]

I have the Aegislink SC-RF200 smoke + carbon monoxide detectors, and I've been pleased with them. I do wish they had a contact closure so they could be integrated into my security system. I reverse engineered the protocol they speak, and it's possible to build a device that can detect which detector is alarming and report that. Unfortunately, what they don't do is transmit a regular heartbeat message. Because of that, there's no way detect that one or more detectors haven't failed completely. I'm almost of the opinion that there should be a required standard for basic safety devices so they can be integrated into any alarm or monitoring system. But, no, everyone wants to monetize everything and nickel and dime you to death.

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

I was quite pissed off the other day; I went down to our basement and heard a mysterious beeping occasionally. I finally tracked it down to our 'First Alert' CO detector by our furnace and it said 'END'. I was like WTH does 'END' mean? I found the original packaging and manual and it said 5 beeps means end of life; NOWHERE on the packaging did it say that these are life-limited. It has NEVER ever read anything but zero. Well that was $35 of e-waste... Now researching it, they are ALL like that; sad to say NEXT time I will consider purchasing the cheapest unit. It would be nice to have a 'rebate' to exchange for a renewed one. Ours looks absolutely brand new, very sad.

[@AndyC2_]

$35 for what lasted 5 or 7 years is nothing for something that can save your life. It’s good to have a new one with the latest technology and a clean sensor. It’s the best $35 you’ll ever spend. I don’t know why you’re making so much of the fact that they have a life span. In that sense it’s no different to a smoke detector. I’ll never get some people 🙄 Also, with something as important as this - NEVER CHEAP OUT !!!!!!!!!!

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

@@AndyC2_ The primary gripe is there was NO indication that the product was life-limited; Not only that, since we don't frequent where it was installed, it was NOT even working since it was past it's expiration, and yet we were trusting that it was. And further, why does the MFR not collect them to solder in a new sensor for MUCH less than the entire product?

[@AndyC2_]

@@BrilliantDesignOnline Firstly, maybe I’m wrong to assume that literally everyone knows that smoke or CO alarms have a life span. And if you’d read the manual properly when you’d bought it, it would have told you about this, and how it will indicate ‘end’ after however many years of use. Secondly - they are not designed to be ‘reconditioned’ and I don’t understand why you would want it to be. It’s not just simply fitting a new sensor, after 5,7,or 10 years the siren would need replacing, the circuitry and wiring. It’s simply not economical to do …. Like everything else they have a life span, then you recycle the product and purchase another To answer another point - if you’d tested it weekly as you’re supposed to, you’d have realised the unit was dead much earlier - or am I wrong ? And if you take one thing from the conversation - when it comes to safety alarms DO NOT BUY CHEAP !!

[@BiggMo]

Ceiling is fine, CO is a byproduct of combustion, and because CO is basically buoyant neutral, its riding in the rising warm air. Some studies show that best placement is where warm air collects from the combustion sources.

[@LRN2DIY]

Yeah, just about anywhere will do. I read a whole in-depth study that was conducted that did show that putting them where you breathe will sometimes have the alarm go off faster than ceiling or outlet mounted but they all went off before too long.

[@AndyC2_]

Just got to watch out for the ‘dead air’ spaces around the edges of a ceiling - but I agree, centrally should be fine

[@glenf4115]

Speaking of no subscription fee alarm monitoring - if you use UniFi networking equipment you can add the $59 USD "Protect All-In-One Sensor" (UP-Sense). It requires a Bluetooth AP (U6 AP or dream router.) It also detects motion, temp & humidity, light, window state, water, etc.

[@LRN2DIY]

I haven't heard of that one but it sounds worth looking into. Thanks!

[@glenf4115]

@@LRN2DIY very high quality and affordable stuff. If you do get into the ecosystem you will start noticing them in arenas, theaters, stores, etc.

[@SnowyMango]

Thank you so much for this. Found some issues in my home after this and will be upgrading soon! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@shubinternet]

The AirThings smart monitors are great, but unfortunately they don't cover carbon monoxide. So, now I'm adding these carbon monoxide alarms to my equipment for monitoring my home air quality. Thanks!

[@LRN2DIY]

I'll have to look into AirThings. Thanks for watching!

[@peachyt6296]

I'm crazy paranoid about smoke and CO...every hallway, bedroom, and living space (dining room, living room, basement) has TWO different brands of separate smoke & CO detectors. Done for redundancy, should 1 brand fail the other should detect it. There are detectors all over the place haha. I have a family to protect, "overboard" is a word I don't comprehend when it comes to their safety.

[@LRN2DIY]

Better safe than sorry when it comes to our families.

[@peachyt6296]

@@LRN2DIY most definitely, great video and PSA for others!

[@AgentOffice]

Same

[@AndyC2_]

I thought only I was like this ……. Nice to know it’s not just me 😂

[@peachyt6296]

@@AndyC2_ I'm lucky my wife understands that eyesores of detectors all over the place are more important than the aesthetics of our house. That, and she didn't put up a fight when I mounted a large (20 lb.?) fire extinguisher on the wall of each floor of our house haha. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I was crazy paranoid about this stuff!

[@Dunnowhatimdoing]

A couple other points to mention are: one major overlooked symptom of CO exposure is breathlessness or the sudden need to catch your breath. Like you said, it displaces oxygen in your blood by binding to your hemoglobin, but that also directly affects how your lungs will function. It will also limit your lungs oxygen absorption. And second, a severe symptom of CO poisoning (beyond exposure and into seriously dangerous territory) is combativeness. This is as a result of an onset of psychosis in a manner of speaking. The person who is suffering from the poisoning goes into a sudden survival mode and can often think people are trying to harm them, if they’re still conscious at this point. It’s much less common, but very problematic and unfortunately they’re usually beyond saving at this point even if removed and treated properly.

[@LRN2DIY]

Both great points to be aware of. Thanks!

[@williamhuang8309]

I thought breathlessness was a result of CO2 buildup not CO poisoning?

[@Sorian87]

Google home devices require the Nest Aware Subscription for sound detection (Smoke/CO/Glass break).

[@MirasP]

Just bought one CO detector and another propane 😉 greetings from Poland

[@LRN2DIY]

Thanks for watching from the beautiful land of Poland!

[@toshihitsu1989]

About 2 years ago we were required by a home inspector to install CO detectors in all the rooms. My house has a total of 6 to 7 co detectors but half of those are combination smoke detectors the others are dedicated CO detectors For the natural gas leaks, the problem with those is that if you're around the leak for a long time, you will get desensitized to the smell the ad to detect leaks like that. So you got to be really careful about that

[@tomnielsen3661]

I know I'm old but I can't find this idea list that you say is there. I look for links to products and I can't find that either. I just get the name of the product that you are talking about and research on my own to find a place I can buy it. I'm not trying to complain, I'm just letting you know this. Keep up the great work.

[@LRN2DIY]

Hmmm. I just double checked and the link is there in the description so I'm not sure what's going on but here is the link to make it easier. geni.us/4pKt3Q Let me know if it gives you any trouble but it should take you to the two alarms shown in the video. Thanks for watching!

[@deliamak]

Does CO usually start from the bottom or the top? I am wondering if I should install the alarm near the floor or the ceiling. Lemme know! Thank you.

[@LRN2DIY]

The optimal location is at the same height where you breathe the air, so many studies recommend between 3' and 5' but the difference between that a ceiling mounted or outlet mounted height is almost negligible according to other studies. After studying up quite a bit on it, just put it in or near the bedrooms where people sleep at whatever height you can and the exact height won't make much of a difference.

[@mikeerin5031]

You could build a raspberry pi or arduino air quality monitor for smart monitoring.

[@rogerszmodis]

A decibel meter app is good enough to find out which alarm is beeping just stand under all of them for a beep and the loudest is the one you want.

[@zombiecowman1]

I grew up always thinking that carbon monoxide was a heavy gas like co2 and you’d want your detectors down low

[@FrickDude824]

You should look into and review airgradient and if it is a nice addition to your life while you're on this topic. I just recent discovered it and am looking it setting it up.

[@LRN2DIY]

I hadn't heard of that but it looks like a good product line! Thanks.

[@Thermalions]

The video's blanket claim about CO2 detectors being required in Australia is incorrect. Some southern states may require them under certain circumstances *if* there are potential CO2 sources - I'm not about to go searching the regs for those states at this time of night. Homes in many states just don't have combustible / gas heating systems, fireplaces etc, and LPG gas stoves are also becoming even rarer. It's normally a case of needing to *cool* your home instead using air conditioning (heat pump to Americans) which is just set to reverse cycle heating for the handful of days when it gets cooler overnight (well above freezing).

[@aldanmartin-jm8zn]

There is a total of 10 CO Alarms in my house. 2 being tied into the alarm system, 1 above the boiler by state code, 3 interconnected on each floor, 1 on the porch, and 3 on each floor due to state code. We also have several heat detectors tied in to the alarm system and a few smokes. The main 6 smoke alarms are all interconnected, and are in every bedroom and on every floor.

[@partsdave8943]

Noticed the links are for different products than shown. Especially the Kidde link. The FA appears to be same but 2-pack?

[@LRN2DIY]

Hmmm. I'm seeing a couple of comments about that. I'm wondering if perhaps there's some product substitution going on? Are you outside the U.S. by chance? Here's a direct link to it but I'm not 100% sure it will work outside the U. S. amzn.to/3S1dHQs

[@partsdave8943]

@@LRN2DIY nope. Arkansas

[@junkmail1262]

My alarm system is by Frontpoint. I got a CO unit that is wireless. Mine was installed close to the floor. I had a new AC system put in and the guy was in my basement finishing the install. He kept getting a headache but it would go away when he went outside to get a tool. We were out of town when I got a call from the alarm company that a carbon monoxide alert was going off. My wife then got a call from the AC guy saying he was hearing an alarm going off upstairs. We told him to get out of the house. He barely made it out. He was having trouble getting up the stairs and almost passed out. We found out it was the gas water heater. It was putting out carbon monoxide every time it started up. If we didn’t have the CO unit we would have come home to dead AC guy. We now have the detectors on every floor. I have the Kidde all in one unit he shows in this video. 5 years ago it went off in the middle of the night. It was the natural gas alarm. The gas stove was on but not lit. Someone must have hit the dial before we went upstairs. The fire department measured the PPM and if we left it going much longer the house could have exploded.

[@LRN2DIY]

Wow - talk about scary! So glad he was ok and thanks for sharing the cautionary tale!

[@rlcarbo]

You talked about the Kidde detector in your video that was capable of detecting, carbon monoxide, and gas. Why is it that you didn’t link to that one below? The Kidde detector you listed is only carbon monoxide. I saw on Amazon the one that detects both.

[@LRN2DIY]

Hmmm. When I click the link it takes me to the Amazon Idea List that shows two products, both of which are the exact ones I show in the video, inlcuding the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector, Propane, Natural, Methane, & Explosive Gas Alarm. Here's a link directly to it. Are you in the U.S., or elsewhere? It's possible that it's trying to show a comparable one (but perhaps not the same one) if you're not in the U.S. amzn.to/3S1dHQs

[@MrLuigi-oi7gm]

Same problem for me. I am in the USA. Your links are sending me to Walmart for the CO detector and to Home Depot for the multi-gas device (which is not the multi-gas device but rather just a CO detector). 🤷‍♂️

[@fluffycritter]

Apple HomePods' alarm detection doesn't require any sort of subscription to work, and also gives you the option to use the HomePod as an intercom to listen in on what's going on when it happens.

[@stickman-1]

How is the best way to test a CO detector to make sure they actually work? When I bought my first set of Kiddie CO detectors they said to put it near the floor. But I have come to learn that that is not correct. That CO mixes with the air and if there is no movement of the air, it floats to the top. So why did Kiddie (and others) say to put it near the floor?

[@LRN2DIY]

I haven't found any obvious or convenient ways to test the sensors for the average household. Most come with a test button that should be used on a regular basis and you'll want to keep the lifespan of the detector in mind. The best way to ensure you're safe is redundancy. Two different kinds of CO detectors near each other, both with displays of parts per million.

[@EricHanigan]

Don't forget to buy a travel unit for staying in Airbnb or relatives houses

[@LRN2DIY]

Great point - there have been a rash of Airbnb CO poisonings, even thought Airbnb has provided hundreds of thousands of CO detectors to hosts. Always good to play it safe.

[@dav0383]

Why do you show an electric space heater at 3:10? Not a source of CO. I worked 11 years testing gas furnaces in homes. The incomplete products of gas combustion are a tip off to the presence of CO, kind of a sweet smell--many hazards averted. However, had CO in my own home from an (approved) unvented, catalytic gas space heater, used when power went out. Had a CO detector near it that did not go off--but I knew the symptoms from my work exposure. Any light-headedness, confusion, headache, brain fog--get out, get some ventilation, and it may take some time, even a few days to recover from moderate exposure.

[@LRN2DIY]

Great tips here on a very scary threat. Thanks for the comment.

[@stefanbergstrom6999]

I like to correct that, well at least here in Sweden, CO is heavier than regular air so it will build up from the floor and upwards. Smoke on the other hand is hot so it will go from the ceiling and downwards.

[@LRN2DIY]

I'm pretty sure CO doesn't change densities based on location so I'm a bit confused by this one but I think we both agree that it permeates the air wherever you are.

[@smcgilvary]

CO has a vapor density slightly higher than one. However, when enough is present to pose a threat, it will be rather evenly distributed and would set off an alarm on the ceiling. That's why combo devices exist.

[@seetheworldfrommyharley]

Need to do my moms!

[@LRN2DIY]

Always good to think about whether our parents are set up for safety here too - for sure!

[@seetheworldfrommyharley]

@LRN2DIY she has one on the ceiling at the entrance to her room..but now I think I will get her another for the other bedroom (small Frame farmhouse (1949s) down lower. But need to make sure ceiling one is still good

[@John.Doe-OG]

My issue with the ceiling mounted CO detectors, especially the CO/Smoke combo detectors is this: CO is heavier than air and won't be detected on the ceiling. If that much CO builds up to a point that it reaches the ceiling, you're dead already anyway.

[@AndyC2_]

Check again - CO is slightly lighter than air….. not heavier.

[@mib20000]

that CO615 co detector sky rocketed to $42.19 as soon as the 1st of 2024 hit

[@donnyyeo]

Can it be installed in your car?

[@srobak]

The links in the bottom do not go to the CO615 - but instead the 605. The 615 is $45 each, not $30.

[@Nightowl_IT]

Just install something that does not make sparks and shuts off the gas main as well as opens the windows. You probably want several detectors for different stuff.

[@burz]

Seems like Amazon only offers Emergency Assist and not Guard? Looks like a subscription. I wonder if that just changed for end of year increases they have done.

[@LRN2DIY]

Hmmm - mine shows Guard still. In my app I go to the More+ icon at the bottom, then to Settings, then scroll down to Guard. I see the Emergency Assist in there too but that's a different service.

[@bsanchez3563]

Carbon detectorsvare 6:09 correct are seven vs 10 years iirc or else it is going to go off and is not supposed ot be able to be resolved if it needs to be replaced.

[@donhoe100]

Looks like First Alert seen your video's? Prices almost doubled?

[@btd2516]

You said CO detectors are required in all new builds, do they actually make you put them in an all electric home? It would be useless.

[@LRN2DIY]

From what I understand, they still are, yes. CO can come from other sources like fireplaces too, but some homes will have no permanent potential source of CO so this won't be useful in every scenario. The number of all electric homes is growing so this law may be adjusted at some point, I suspect.

[@AbdicateDotNet]

Great video!! FYI Your audio is up and down and a bit distracting.

[@LRN2DIY]

I appreciate the feedback! I'll try to keep a closer eye (or ear) on this.

[@insylem]

I have a carbon monoxide alarm in my basement and main floor. I have one in my bathroom that has a digital readout.

[@johnelons1446]

Home assistant ftw

[@LRN2DIY]

Right!?

[@richardneff]

What sensors/air quality monitors do you use? But while Home Assistant is so useful, it occasionally has problems of its own. So, I don't rely solely on that -- I still have other "non-smart" CO detectors myself.

[@danilo352]

I ended up switching my gas tank water heater for an electric tankless one after a CO scare. Good info here! . . . The content is great! But I think you’ve been better off without the stock footage, voice over, overlay to “reveal” the product in your hand, etc. it made the video cheesy overall. Again, great content though!

[@brewted]

DO NOT USE COMBO UNITS- smoke detectors should be within 1 foot of the ceiling and CO detectors should be within 1 foot of the floor. Buy separate units and mount them correctly!! (Licensed General Contractor)

[@Open-Tech]

18:37 I do a fire alarm a lot this is pronounced kid-ah but the community seems to disagree if it’s kid-ee or led-ah soo he doesn’t really matter, but the correct one is KID - AH