Gas Fireplace Sets Off Carbon Monoxide Detector

It s a good idea to install one or more carbon monoxide detectors in your home no matter which type of fuel burning appliance you have.

Gas fireplace sets off carbon monoxide detector.

As the gas burns carbon monoxide is formed as the by product. It is impossible to tell without a carbon monoxide detector whether the gas is in your home because it is odorless and colorless. While water vapor may not be a direct hazard to human beings like carbon monoxide is when a copious amount of damp warm air begins to fill the home some serious damage can be caused. Carbon monoxide detectors work by noticing the gas that people can t smell or see.

Again this is because carbon monoxide is considered to be the greater threat. Electric units wouldn t have the carbon monoxide risks associated as much as the gel and natural gas models. Vent free gas fireplace units have also been known to emit water vapor over time. Though natural gas is more volatile it is also more easily detected without a detector.

Most fire detectors will detect carbon monoxide rather than natural gas. Since they are designed to alert the homeowner before the carbon monoxide reaches deadly levels they need to be at head level or lower. These detectors are very sensitive especially the kidde carbon monoxide alarm but they also have to be placed properly. Carbon monoxide a propane fireplace emits carbon dioxide due to the normal process of combustion.