Recognize co-deters to poisonous carbon monoxide: this models can be relyed on

Every year there are accidents at home due to carbon monoxide poisoning. In most cases, the victims are surprised by escaping carbon monoxide while they are sleeping. So that it doesn't come to that in the first place, CO detectors are a good investment and warn you in an emergency. We introduce you to the best alarms.

Overview

The old gas heater or an open fireplace are sources of danger for carbon monoxide in your own home. Even if the worst case scenario does not occur, even small amounts of the gas can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and seizures - carbon monoxide poisoning is dangerous. CO alarms help to warn of the invisible and odorless gas in good time and thus save lives.

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What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels containing carbon such as gas, charcoal, wood or oil are burned. It is correctly referred to as "carbon monoxide". It has the chemical formula CO. In everyday life, "carbon monoxide" is usually spoken of in abbreviated form.

Carbon monoxide is highly toxic. Even low concentrations in the air are sufficient to cause symptoms of poisoning and suffocation when inhaled. If the concentration is too high, the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen and those affected suffocate. Because carbon monoxide is odorless, we don't notice when it's present in the air. For this reason, gas detectors are essential for rooms heated with gas or open fire. They sound the alarm when there is a risk of carbon monoxide and smoke. We show good devices that reliably warn of the gas.

DISPLAYOur recommendation: CO detectors from SmartwaresOur recommendation: CO detectors from Smartwares

The solid: Smartwares carbon monoxide detector

DISPLAYSmartwares Carbon Monoxide Alarm RM37019,9923,991719,9924,9927,99

This handy CO alarm from Smartwares features a test button, battery and power indicator. The CO concentration and the room temperature are shown alternately on the display. This warning device is suitable for rooms up to 40 square meters and triggers an alarm at an early stage. A simple wireless installation is guaranteed by the supplied batteries, dowels and screws. Amazon also has a set of magnetic holders for quick attachment.

The bestseller: Ei Electronics carbon monoxide alarm

DISPLAYEi Electronics Ei208D CO carbon monoxide detector38,8952,962738,9052,362639,9955,94

The CO detector from the manufacturer Ei Electronics is equipped with an LCD display and shows the current CO content in the air. In the event of an alarm, it also provides information such as "Airing" or "Evacuation". In an emergency, you can quickly see a recommendation on what to do. The sensor has a long service life of ten years. The battery is permanently installed. The event memory is also practical: the device remembers increased measured values ​​when you were not at home. The manufacturer's CO detectors are also calibrated with real carbon monoxide.

The reliable one: Hekatron carbon monoxide detector

DISPLAYHekatron 31-6300001-01-XX CO detector39,8943,5250,121349,9949,99

The handy CO detector from Hekatron is equipped with a high-quality sensor that can measure even low concentrations of carbon monoxide. The practical device is equipped with a test function and can be put into operation by standing or wall mounting.

A peak value memory is integrated, which informs you about the last measured maximum value. So you know if there was an alarm while you were away. The battery and sensor should last ten years. Another plus: the carbon monoxide detector gives an acoustic and visual alarm if the CO limit values ​​are exceeded.

For the bedside table: carbon monoxide alarm with LCD display

ANZEIGEX-Sense CO detector TÜV certified29.99

You can place the CO detector from X-Sense flexibly and also put it on the bedside table in the bedroom. The model scores with a very long sensor service life of ten years and the 85 decibel alarm signal when the carbon monoxide concentration in the room is too high.

On the display, the CO detector shows the carbon monoxide level in real time and remembers dangerous CO levels. The LED status light flashes red, green or yellow to indicate an alarm or a fault. The test function allows you to test the detector to ensure everything is working properly.

Other CO detectors

With CO detectors, there is a large selection of good devices, so that in addition to the top four CO detectors from our comparison, we can recommend others to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning :

Conclusion: We recommend this CO detector

All of the CO detectors presented are recommended. We were particularly impressed by the devices from Smartwares with their good price-performance ratio and the Ei Electronics EI208D with the practical information on the display. The set with magnetic plate is helpful for quick installation, which you can attach to the wall with adhesive strips and without drilling.

DISPLAYOur recommendation: CO alarms from SmartwaresOur recommendation: CO alarms from Smartwares

Our precautionary tips

If you follow a few basic things, you can rest assured that ideally your carbon monoxide alarm will also don't have to sound the alarm.

Worth knowing about CO detectors

In the following we answer the most important questions about carbon monoxide detectors:

How can carbon monoxide become dangerous?

Leaking exhaust pipes or damage to the burner of a gas boiler can also lead to the escape of carbon monoxide, as can a clogged chimney. For example, if birds nest in the chimney, the exhaust gases and smoke can no longer be discharged unhindered. They are pushed back and stream back into the room where the fireplace is located. If it is, for example, the living room where the fireplace is, the air is permeated with exhaust gases and carbon monoxide. There is danger to life!

How do carbon monoxide detectors work?

Carbon monoxide detectors or CO detectors have a simple structure and are similar to normal smoke detectors. A sensor measures the CO concentration in the air. If a certain limit is exceeded, the detector sounds an alarm. This limit is mandatory for all CO detectors in the EU.

Accordingly, an alarm signal sounds if more than 50 ppm CO is measured in the room air within 60 to 90 minutes, ppm stands for the unit "parts per million". Among other things, this indicates the concentration of gases in the air.

Depending on the equipment, CO detectors are operated electrically via the house electricity or by battery. Battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors also warn before the battery is empty. CO sensors have a limited lifespan, ranging from three to ten years depending on the device. The alarms must then be replaced with new ones.

Why buy a CO alarm?

There is no obligation to have a CO detector in Germany, comparable to the smoke detector obligation in many federal states. Nevertheless, for your own safety, every household should be equipped with a CO alarm if:

How many CO detectors do I need?

It is recommended to install CO detectors at least in the room where there is a fireplace (gas boiler, wood-burning stove, open fireplace). If stove or exhaust pipes run through a room, you should also install CO detectors there. This ensures that you are immediately warned if carbon monoxide is escaping from a damaged exhaust pipe.

It is recommended to install at least one carbon monoxide detector in the sleeping area. It is also particularly important to install a carbon monoxide detector near possible sources of danger such as heating boilers - to avoid false alarms at a distance of around six meters. In multi-story homes, at least one CO alarm should be installed on each floor.

What should you consider when buying?

Detailed installation instructions for the CO detector are important. This provides information on how the alarm should be attached to the wall or ceiling. In principle, the same limit values ​​according to the EU standard apply to all carbon monoxide detectors.

When buying, you can still pay attention to other criteria such as the appropriate room size or additional functions. It is also advisable to pay attention to the life of the battery or a manufacturer's guarantee.

CO detectors with a display clearly show which values ​​have been measured. If they are even illuminated, they can also be seen well in the dark. However, too much lighting can disturb sleep if the alarm is placed within sight of the bed.

Another important function is the so-called pre-alarm, which already sounds at a low concentration of CO gas, so that you notice early on that your heating could be defective.

A test alarm button allows you to regularly check whether the CO detector triggers warning tones. This test function proves to be particularly useful when the alarm has been in use for a number of years.

Some gas detectors are equipped with suitable apps that inform you via smartphone in the event of an alarm. In this way, you can keep the security of your home under control even when you are away from home.

Where should I mount carbon monoxide detectors?

Carbon monoxide has a density similar to room air. For this reason, the gas spreads very evenly in rooms. So it is theoretically irrelevant where you place the CO detector in the room. However, you should avoid mounting in front of windows, doors or in niches. Measurement inaccuracies can occur there, which can lead to a malfunction of the detector.

It is best to place CO alarms on the wall, ideally less than two meters high. This ensures that the device reliably sounds an alarm if the concentration of carbon monoxide exceeds the set limit value.

What to do if the CO detector sounds an alarm?

If a CO detector triggers an alarm, please take it seriously and get yourself and your family to safety. Leave the apartment immediately. If you don't feel any symptoms of poisoning such as dizziness or nausea, you can open all the windows before leaving to ensure ventilation. After evacuation, call the fire brigade as soon as possible.