Exact Answer: 5 To 7 Years

Safety must be the utmost priority of anyone in this world. Nowadays, technology has developed a great deal and this has given many options and ways to install safety systems. Not only does a human needs safety but also what a human possesses does too. Since the advent of technology, safety boxes in banks, security systems installed inside and outside houses and commercial offices and entry-level security systems in high-security offices and prisons are some of the best examples that define the great benefits of security systems.

One minor safety device, that is now being installed and used in every house of the world to protect their loved ones and neighbors, is carbon monoxide detectors, which can also be referred to as CO detectors. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are different from one another and before a person installs a CO detector, there is a lot to know about them. For example, a person should know when they should replace them and when the batteries should be changed.

There are many models of CO detectors sold in the market, some in which the batteries can be replaced, while in others the whole detector has to be changed.

How Long Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Last

How Long Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Last?

The Lifespan of Carbon Monoxide detectorsTime
Warranty of a normal carbon monoxide detector5 years
The average lifespan of the carbon monoxide detectors5 to 6 years
The maximum lifespan of carbon monoxide detectors7 to 8 years

CO and smoke detectors should not just be hung on the walls and ignored. They save lives by detecting harmful chemicals and the formation of smoke in the house, and so they must be monitored. According to NFPA, the National Fire Protection Association, almost more than half of the deaths that happen due to fire destroy houses and families because there is no smoke alarm installed, or the installed detector is not working properly.

Also Read:  How Long Can A Car Battery Last Without The Engine On (And Why)?

More than smoke detectors, CO detectors are vital to a safe household. CO detectors must be installed in a house, because, carbon monoxide is more dangerous than smoke and when inhaled, can lead to death. Almost 400 Americans die of CO poisoning that can happen due to fires or some other cause. More than 4000 get hospitalized everywhere and about 20000 people go to the emergency room with CO poisoning every year. CO is an odorless and colorless gas that is called a “silent killer” because it is highly poisonous to humans.

Nobody can sense the presence of CO in their house until they notice the symptoms. Inhaling CO is deadly and dangerous and when CO detectors are installed, they detect the CO leak and it starts alerting the inmates of the house.

Why Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Last That Long?

CO detectors made nowadays are very precise and they start beeping the moment they catch a trace of CO in the air. When left unnoticed, the level of CO leaking can increase, which will lead to Carbon monoxide poisoning, but if detectors are installed, they can detect the leakage in its early stages.

There are many sources of CO leaks, especially from any fuel-burning devices, and the main three sources of CO leaks in a house are dryer vents in drying machines, chimneys, fireplaces, and the furnaces in the house. Not only should the leak be monitored, but the sources should also be taken care of well because after all, prevention is better than use.

Also Read:  Difference Between Active and Passive Pickups (With Table)

Service and clean these sources so nothing can lead to the leak of CO. Normally, CO detectors are installed in bathrooms, any sleeping area, and living rooms. CO detectors can be placed anywhere in a room and they will be very much effective despite where they are placed.

Conclusion

According to various sources, the warranty of carbon monoxide detectors is 5 years at most in almost all the shops and companies in the world and the average lifespan of a CO detector is around 5 to 6 years and if it is taken care of very well, a CO detector will last for even 7 to 8 years without a doubt.

Changing their batteries and placing them in a place where water or anything that can meddle with their system cannot reach them will increase their lifespan. Even if the CO detector has replaceable batteries, it is better to change the entire alarm after 6 to 7 years, because, just like every other electronic appliance, CO detectors also have a certain expiry date.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022214303000866
  2. https://www.translationalres.com/article/0022-2143(92)90039-N/fulltext