Does every house need a carbon monoxide detector?

Author: Alan Bayer  |  Last update: Thursday, December 11, 2025

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that every home should have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.

How do I know if my house needs a carbon monoxide detector?

It is also a good idea to know the signs of a potential CO problem:
  1. Streaks of soot around fuel-burning appliances, or fallen soot in a fireplace.
  2. Absence of an upward draft in your chimney.
  3. Excess moisture and condensation on windows, walls and cold surfaces.
  4. Rusting on flue pipes or appliance jacks.

Do you need a carbon monoxide detector if there is no gas?

Even if your home is all electric, it's still recommended that you install carbon monoxide detectors, as CO can seep inside the home from an attached garage or from outside. Texas updated its building codes in 2021 to require all homes built in or after 2022 to install carbon monoxide detectors.

Do I need a carbon monoxide detector if everything is electric?

Not really. Carbon monoxide sensors are not even required in electric only homes UNLESS there is a garage for automobiles attached to living spaces. Then I would put in carbon monoxide sensors, required or not. Carbon monoxide comes from burning carbon containing compounds.

Do I need a carbon monoxide detector in every room?

According to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every floor of the home, including basements. Detectors should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door, and be placed near or over any attached garages.

What Most Homeowners Don’t Know About Carbon Monoxide Detectors

What states require carbon monoxide detectors?

Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia require carbon monoxide detectors in private dwellings with a state statute: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia (with adoption of the International Residential Code), Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, ...

What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.

Which appliances give off carbon monoxide?

One of the most common sources of exposure in the home is the gas or kerosene-powered heater. Gas-powered water heaters, stoves, and furnaces may also produce carbon monoxide.

Where should carbon monoxide detectors be placed?

Where should you place a carbon monoxide detector?
  1. Outside of each bedroom or sleeping area.
  2. Inside an attached garage.
  3. On every floor, including the basement.
  4. At least 10 feet from the garage door leading to your home. ...
  5. At least 15 feet away from gas-burning appliances, like fireplaces or stoves.

Do hot water heaters produce carbon monoxide?

A water heater that hasn't been installed or maintained properly may be able to create carbon monoxide. In addition, a water heater that has been damaged in a certain way may be able to cause this problem.

Is it bad not to have a carbon monoxide detector?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that every home should have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.

Can carbon monoxide come from AC?

Air Conditioners Do Not Produce Carbon Monoxide. CO gas is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. It is produced when you burn fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil, propane, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, or wood for heating or cooking purposes.

Can carbon monoxide leak if the stove is off?

Carbon monoxide can leak from a stove even if it is turned off. This is because the gas may still be present in the ductwork or the furnace itself.

Do I need a CO detector if I don't have gas?

The answer is yes! Even if you don't have any gas-powered appliances or a chimney, there are still other sources of carbon monoxide in your home that a detector can help protect you from. Read on to learn more about why every home needs a carbon monoxide detector.

Do modern houses have carbon monoxide detectors?

By law, both smoke alarms/detectors and carbon monoxide devices are required to be installed in all dwellings.

How long does it take for carbon monoxide to build up in a house?

Small carbon monoxide leaks can fill every room in your house with poisonous gas within eight hours. Severe leaks can cause this problem in just five minutes. The EPA states that exposure to concentrations of nine ppm or more for eight hours is enough to produce harmful health effects for at-risk individuals.

What rooms in the house need a carbon monoxide detector?

Install a CO detector within 15' of any room used for sleeping in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Do not install a CO detector near your kitchen or garage or in a room with a furnace. If your CO detector goes off and you feel ill, leave the house and call 911 or the local fire department.

Are plug-in CO detectors effective?

Are Plug-in Carbon Monoxide Detectors Effective? Yes, plug-in monitors work just as well as battery-powered devices. The best plug-in carbon monoxide detector for your home is one with a battery backup. That way, you know your monitor will also work in case of a power outage.

Where are carbon monoxide detectors required by code?

On every occupiable level of a dwelling unit, including basements. 3. Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed within the bedroom. Alarms shall be installed at a minimum distance of 3 feet from fans and vents.

Can opening windows reduce carbon monoxide?

If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning: DO GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house.

What is the most likely source of carbon monoxide in house?

How can carbon monoxide build up in a home? The most common causes of carbon monoxide building up are incorrectly installed or poorly maintained or ventilated appliances – like stoves and hot water heaters. Poorly ventilated fireplaces and other gas- or wood-burning appliances can also pose danger.

Can a fridge give off carbon monoxide?

If a refrigerator is an electric plug-in fridge, it cannot release carbon monoxide. However, some refrigerators run by burning gas such as propane, which can release carbon monoxide. RV refrigerators have this possibility, as do certain home fridges commonly found in off-grid homes.

Who can test my home for carbon monoxide?

Some municipal fire departments and utility companies will come to your home and check for carbon monoxide for free or at reduced rates. The main tool used in these tests is an electronic portable toxic multi-gas monitor.

What to do if a carbon monoxide alarm goes off and then stops?

If you have a carbon monoxide detector chirping and then it stops, it's important to take the situation seriously, even if the alarm is no longer sounding. Even if the alarm has stopped, get everyone out of the home to a place with fresh air.

How to detect carbon monoxide with iPhone?

Go to the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. , then tap Home Settings. Tap Safety & Security. Tap Sound Recognition, then turn on Smoke & CO Alarm.

Previous article
How far should a gas range be from the wall?
Next article
What are the rules for a new refrigerator?