Gas Fireplace Sets Off Carbon Monoxide Detector

As the gas burns carbon monoxide is formed as the by product.

Gas fireplace sets off carbon monoxide detector.

For starters you may start to see your wall paper peel. Vent free gas fireplace units have also been known to emit water vapor over time. It is impossible to tell without a carbon monoxide detector whether the gas is in your home because it is odorless and colorless. Unvented gas logs are always equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor ods which is designed to turn off the gas before carbon monoxide reaches a life threatening level in the room.

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. Though natural gas is more volatile it is also more easily detected without a detector. A well placed carbon monoxide detector in the same room as the ventless fireplace will give a quick and early warning if the unit produced more carbon monoxide than it was supposed to.

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. Most fire detectors will detect carbon monoxide rather than natural gas. 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.