Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas. It may build up in enclosed areas such as a house or workplace. This gas is very dangerous to human health. Prolonged exposure may cause irreversible brain damage or death. Since this gas is colorless, its presence can hardly be detected. As a result, there are detector sensors that can alert you when the carbon monoxide levels are high or detected.
They do provide timely warnings in the event of deadly gas. This is to enable you to take life-saving action. But what if your CO detector alarms for no clear reason? Sometimes you will find that the CO detector causes a false alarm after you charge the battery. There are several causes of these alarms. The main reason is when the battery goes low, the alarm will start beeping. There are times when it will keep on beeping even after you charge it. You may need to reset it. Here is how to reset the carbon monoxide detector after charging the battery.
How To Reset a Carbon Monoxide Detector After Charging a Battery
There are different brands and models of CO detectors with different ways to reset them. The good news is, each of these detectors came with a well-explained guide on how to use and reset. Also, some brands of these detectors are automatically built to reset themselves while others have a manual reset button. For you to have a successful reset process, the main thing you need to ensure is that the battery is new or fully charged. If the mentioned requirements are already met, the procedure is usually simple. Below is a well-explained procedure on how to reset the carbon monoxide detector after charging the battery.
1) Look For The Reset Button
There is a reset button in the carbon monoxide detector. Note that the labeling may be different depending on different brands. Some will label them as reset, test, or silent. If you are not in that domain, look for any variations in that domain. If you are unable to find the reset button, see your owner’s handbook for more information. You can also contact the manufacturer to guide you well.
2) Press and hold down the reset button for 10 seconds
Carbon monoxide detectors, whether hardwired or plug-in devices, need electricity to reset. Now that you have already charged your battery, you will need to plug it into electricity. Ensure that your gadget is already plugged in and has access to electricity. While still connected to electricity, press the reset button for 10 seconds.
3) Release the reset button
When the resetting process is over, you will hear a beep sound. Other devices will have an LED light indicator showing that the process is over. Note that the LED must be in a good functioning condition for correct results. Consult your owner’s handbook. Also, you can contact the manufacturer for information on your particular equipment. The majority will help you with how to rest the carbon monoxide detector.
How To Repair A Carbon Monoxide Detector That Keeps Beeping
After knowing there is no accumulation of CO, you should investigate what triggered the false alarm. Some of the problems may force you to reset the CO detector. You can take the following actions if your carbon monoxide detector begins to beep:
1) Inspect the battery
A faulty battery is the most frequent cause of a blaring carbon monoxide alarm. If the gadget beeps or chirps at regular intervals, it is most likely a battery issue. This beeping is usually between 30 and 60 seconds.
Certain detectors have an integrated sealed battery that can last the device’s lifetime. If you own one of these devices, you will need to replace it completely.
Certain plug-in and hardwired devices are normally equipped with backup batteries. If you own one of these devices, you may want to replace the battery. Additionally, you may need to reset the gadget to stop it from beeping.
2) Examine the Carbon Monoxide detector for flaws
You will definitely see an error signal or message when a carbon monoxide detector fails. Some devices include an LED that illuminates when they detect an issue. Others feature a display that shows a message such as ERR or ERROR. Certain devices will beep twice every 30 seconds rather than once.
Generally, you may get error codes by clicking the test or peak level button. But, these codes are useless on their own. CO detectors’ manufacturers need you to contact them with your error code for help.
Smart carbon monoxide detectors have a linked app. You can download it to your smartphone and it will help you in troubleshooting. These apps occasionally enable you to see error messages. This will definitely assist you in narrowing down the source of the issue.
If you are sure there is no hazardous accumulation of CO within the detector, clean it with canned air or a vacuum. After that, reset the unit.
If the message reappears, check for the presence of carbon monoxide in your house. You can also contact the device’s manufacturer for help. In the majority of instances, you will need to replace the detector.
3) Check your detector’s age
Carbon monoxide detectors include a shelf life in their design. This is because of the degradation of their internal sensors over time. After some time, the sensor is no longer capable of properly detecting the presence of CO.
Even if you have a new battery, your CO detector may continue chirping at regular intervals. Certain carbon monoxide detectors have a ten-year life expectancy. If you believe yours failed prematurely, see your owner’s handbook. You can also contact the manufacturer for more information. Besides, if your CO detector beeps because its operating life ends, you must replace it with a new one.
4) Remove the sources of false alarms
Sometimes your battery is in good condition and the detector does not indicate any error. It is a relatively false alarm in this case. You will have to check the closeness of it to a gas furnace or stove. These may create complications, hence giving you false alerts. You try to move your carbon monoxide detector from these devices. The recommended distance is usually 15 feet away from the detector. Check if it resolves the issue after doing that.
5) Reset the Detector for Carbon Monoxide
Once you eliminate the possibility of an accumulation of CO, reset the device. Above is the process of how to reset the carbon monoxide detector after charging the battery. Use the above process to reset the detector. If you get stuck somewhere, contact the manufacturer for help.
Final Recap
Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous gases in the human body once inhaled. This is the reason why you need to have good alerts when the levels are high. Several reasons may cause your CO detector to give wrong information. All these, when solved, ensure that your life is safe. As seen above, most will need you to reset the detector for better results. We have already looked at how to reset the carbon monoxide detector after charging a battery. Different brands may make the devices differently, but the process is more of the same. Besides, where you get stuck, you can contact the manufacturer for help.