According to an article by Ed Hightower, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the US with more than 20,000 people hospitalized and nearly 500 killed each year. In addition, carbon monoxide poisonings have been on the rise, increasing 36% between 2001 and 2006. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas, which is why it can kill so quickly.
Many people may think, myself included, that the only possible solution is a plug in carbon monoxide detector, which will sound an alarm if CO is detected at that location. The problem with this is that the detector may be in a location, such as a basement, which may be furthest from the bedrooms, and those sleeping in those bedrooms may not hear the alarm. Some detectors use batteries....need I say more?
Tom Olecki of Broadview Heating, Broadview Heights, Ohio offers another solution. A company called CO Authority manufactures a detector that can be mounted by a trained professional in the furnace plenum. This detector constantly monitors the air that comes out of the registers. If CO is detected, this detector actually turns off your furnace and sounds a warning. Power comes from the furnace so batteries are not needed. The cost to install these detectors is between $400 and $450.
Call Tom Olecki at Broadview Heating 440-526-7310 for more information. Broadview Heating is located at 4111 E. Royalton Rd. in Broadview Heights Ohio.
Always consult a licensed heating professional!
If you would like to buy or sell a home in the southern communities of Cleveland Ohio, please call me at 440-263-7496, or you may want to visit my website for more specific information on the communities I service: Brecksville Ohio Real Estate, Broadview Heights Ohio Real Estate, North Royalton Ohio Real Estate Independence Ohio Real Estate, Seven Hills Ohio Real Estate, Parma Ohio Real Estate, Parma Heights Ohio Real Estate and Middleburg Heights Ohio Real Estate. Information is obtained from Neohrex and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Thanks for sharing the information. I will mention it to my clients.Have a good 2010.
That souldn't like a really good system but for $400-500 who is going to buy it compared to a less than $10 plug in? Unless it becomes code (and it will in some places) or the price comes way down, it looks like a slow growth product to me.
Thanks, it's good to know about.
Glenn, Your comments are justified. It's always a good idea for consumers to research and compare cost. I would guess that those who have lost a loved one to carbon monoxide poisoning would appreciate such a product.
Gita, It always good to know what options are out there.
Thanks for sharing the info, though I'm in agreement with Glenn. Most people would not think of springing for a $400-500 product when a $10 product is available to do the job.
Sounds like a great device. It would eliminate the need for seperate units installed throughout the house and would obviously be more accurate.
Leah, I agree that some would not. I'm not sure of the accuracy of a CO detector costing only $10 as the last one I purchased was around $40 and even at that I'm not sure it was the best plug in device on the market. And again, consumers can price this out with several different heating contractors.
Tom, I certainly think that's the idea.
Barb, this is a very timely message for all of the people who use home heating!
Barb,
Great info; carbon monoxide is a silent killer.
Caren and Tom, It IS a silent killer and it's nice to know there is a detection system that possibly is more accurate than a plug in device.
Barb, A good reminder that I need to check my batteries - at the very least.
Yes Sue, at the very least for all of us!
In Massachusetts in order to sell a home you need to have working carbon monoxide detectors in each finished level of the house and also there must be one placed within 10 feet of all the bedroom doors. It makes a lot of sense.
Not so in Ohio Bill but it should be.
Sounds like a good project for MIT to take on to find a low cost, effective solution so all those lives can be saved.