Carbon monoxide detector testing Patch#

The best carbon monoxide detectors that we've tested and rated are 85db or louder in our tests – that’s about as loud as a food mixer. So whatever kind of carbon monoxide alarm you buy, go for one that sounds the alarm.

Carbon monoxide detector testing Patch#

If there was a dangerous carbon monoxide build-up in the middle of the night, a patch changing colour won’t wake you up to let you know. We think the safest option for everyone would be to choose a detector that sounds the alarm rather than just indicating there’s a problem. Rather than sound the alarm, this kind of detector changes colour when there’s carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. The cheapest way to detect carbon monoxide in your house would be to buy a patch carbon monoxide detector, but read on before you do. Read our review of the Nest Protect Smoke + CO Alarm. The second generation will last for 10 years. The Nest Protect Smoke + CO Alarm, for example, is £89 – that’s around four times as much as a conventional detector, but it is two products in one.Įarly versions will last for seven years before needing to be replaced. But there is a premium to pay if you want to smart detector. If you live a connected life through your phone, this kind of neat tech may up your street. When this kind of carbon monoxide alarm detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, it sends a message to your smart phone as well as sounding the alarm. You can find out the best value and longest lasting batteries using our battery reviews.ĭetectors with replaceable batteries are usually a few pounds cheaper than sealed battery detectors, but you will need to buy replacement batteries after a few years, and this brings the prices to about level. You’ll need to replace the batteries every two to three years if you have this type of detector, though the alarm will still have a finite lifetime of between five and 10 years. Replaceable battery carbon monoxide detectors Buying this kind of carbon monoxide detector is a good idea if you want to avoid needing to replace the batteries every couple of years or so. The battery unit is tamper proof and some have lifetimes of around 10 years before they will need to be replaced. Types of carbon monoxide detector Sealed battery carbon monoxide detectorsĪs the name suggests, the battery for this kind of detector is sealed inside the unit once the battery runs out, the alarm will chirp, prompting you to replace the unit. We've found that the carbon monoxide detectors that failed our tests all cost around £10 or less - as do many other identical lookalike brands. Simpler models can cost as little as £17, while for an alarm with a screen and a long-life sealed battery, you'll typically pay £25 or more.īut pay £10 or less and you run the risk of buying an alarm that won’t be reliable and wouldn’t pass our rigorous carbon monoxide tests. Our carbon monoxide detector tests show that you’re more likely to end up with a safe and reliable carbon monoxide detector if you pay around £20. It pays to spend a little more when buying a safety product like a carbon monoxide detector. How much do carbon monoxide detectors cost?

But if you have a fuel (gas, LPG, oil, wood) burning boiler, fire or stove, you should have one in every room where fuel is burned. If you live in a house or flat that’s entirely powered by electricity, you won’t need a carbon monoxide detector.