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Do carbon monoxide detectors detect methane gas?

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and methane gas detectors are two different types of safety devices that serve different purposes. While they both detect dangerous gases, the gases they are designed to find differ significantly.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, oil, wood, or propane. Appliances fueled by these sources can produce dangerous levels of CO gas if they are not properly ventilated or malfunctioning.

Some potential sources of carbon monoxide in the home include:

  • Gas stoves and ovens
  • Gas water heaters
  • Gas clothes dryers
  • Furnaces
  • Fireplaces
  • Wood stoves
  • Gasoline powered equipment like generators or lawn mowers
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Vehicle exhaust from attached garages

Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it bonds to hemoglobin in the blood stream up to 210 times more readily than oxygen. This prevents oxygen from reaching the body’s tissues and can lead to serious tissue damage or even death from oxygen deprivation.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Exposure to carbon monoxide can produce flu-like symptoms such as:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Chest pain
  • Confusion

It can be easy to confuse carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms with the flu or food poisoning. However, if symptoms disappear when you leave home and reoccur when you return, it could signal a carbon monoxide issue.

High levels of carbon monoxide can lead to loss of consciousness, brain damage, and death. Fetuses, infants, elderly people, and those with chronic heart disease are most susceptible to the effects.

What are carbon monoxide detectors?

Carbon monoxide detectors are safety devices designed to alarm before dangerous levels of CO build up in an indoor space. They contain sensors that detect CO gas and sound an audible alarm to alert occupants.

There are two types of CO detectors:

  • Battery-powered: Simple, portable units powered by AA or 9V batteries. Need to have batteries replaced periodically.
  • Hardwired: Permanently installed, plugged into home’s electrical system with battery backup. Do not require battery changes.

Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed according to manufacturer guidelines, but in general the following tips apply:

  • Place near sleeping areas to wake occupants with alarm.
  • Install on every level of the home.
  • Keep away from electrical equipment or vents that could interfere.
  • Follow all local building codes for number and placement of detectors.

What is methane gas?

Methane is an odorless, colorless gas that is highly combustible. It is the main component of natural gas used in homes. Methane can also occur naturally from decomposition of organic matter or be released from coal mines, landfills, or oil and gas operations.

Methane is not toxic like carbon monoxide. However, high concentrations of methane can cause asphyxiation by displacing oxygen. Methane is also explosive at concentrations of 5-15% in air. Even small leaks pose a major fire and explosion hazard.

What are methane detectors?

Methane detectors contain sensors designed to detect the presence of methane gas. They alarm before dangerous levels build up to alert people to a potential gas leak.

Methane detectors are installed in areas where methane leaks are most likely or would pose significant dangers. Key locations include:

  • Near gas appliances like stoves, water heaters, or dryers
  • In basements, crawlspaces, and tunnels
  • In utility and mechanical rooms
  • Near gas piping and meters
  • In commercial kitchens and laboratories
  • On offshore drilling platforms, pipelines, and landfills

Methane detectors may be portable or permanently installed. They also come in single gas or multi-gas versions capable of detecting other gases like propane or butane.

Key differences between carbon monoxide and methane detectors

The key differences between carbon monoxide detectors and methane detectors include:

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Methane Detectors
Detect carbon monoxide gas Detect methane gas
Alert to carbon monoxide poisoning risk Alert to methane leaks and explosion risk
Installed in living spaces like bedrooms Installed near gas appliances and in utility spaces
Standard in most homes More common in industrial/commercial settings

Do carbon monoxide detectors detect methane?

No, carbon monoxide detectors do not detect the presence of methane gas. They are specifically designed to alarm in response to elevated carbon monoxide levels only.

Carbon monoxide detectors and methane detectors use different sensor technologies tailored to the gases they are intended to find. Carbon monoxide detectors will not alarm in the presence of methane, and methane detectors do not detect carbon monoxide.

While methane is combustible at high concentrations, it is non-toxic and does not cause carbon monoxide poisoning. So a carbon monoxide detector does nothing to alert occupants to the risk of a methane gas leak or explosion.

Reasons carbon monoxide detectors do not detect methane

There are a few key reasons why carbon monoxide detectors only detect CO and not other gases like methane:

  • Target gas: They are designed to specifically detect carbon monoxide rather than a range of gases.
  • Sensor technology: They use electrodes that react to CO molecules, not methane.
  • Alarm thresholds: The alarm is calibrated to sound at dangerous CO levels, not methane concentrations.
  • Detector location: They are located in living spaces at human breathing height focused on CO exposure.

While it would be convenient to have a single detector for multiple gases, specific sensor technologies are required to accurately detect each target gas.

Using carbon monoxide and methane detectors together

For whole home safety, it is recommended to use both carbon monoxide detectors and methane detectors. This provides alert capabilities for both the CO poisoning risk and methane gas leak/explosion risk.

Some key tips on using both detector types include:

  • Install CO detectors in bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways.
  • Install methane detectors near all gas appliances and in utility rooms.
  • Use hardwired/plug-in detectors over battery-powered whenever possible.
  • Make sure detectors are listed by a reputable testing lab like UL or CSA.
  • Replace all detectors according to manufacturer expiration dates.

Dual detector systems provide overlapping protection against both toxic and combustible gas hazards in the home for maximum safety.

Natural gas detectors

Natural gas detectors are a type of methane detector designed specifically to detect natural gas rather than just methane from any source. They contain sensors calibrated to alarm at the composition of utility-supplied natural gas.

Natural gas is primarily composed of methane (typically around 95%), but also contains small quantities of other hydrocarbons like butane, propane, ethane, pentane, etc. The detector sensors can pick out this specific chemical profile.

Having a natural gas detector ensures the alarm sounds in response to piped utility gas leaks and not just methane from a biological or geological source. They provide targeted natural gas leak protection.

Should I get a natural gas or methane detector?

In most residential settings, a natural gas detector is the best choice since it is specifically designed for alerting to leaks from appliances. However, there are some instances where a methane detector may be more appropriate:

  • Monitoring methane in coal mines or landfills
  • Monitoring pipelines or gas wells for raw methane leaks
  • In biology labs working with methane-producing archaea
  • Environmental methane monitoring

For homes with natural gas service, natural gas detectors provide reliable, affordable protection against dangerous gas leaks. If you ever smell an odor like rotten eggs, evacuate immediately and call the gas company or 911.

Propane gas detectors

Propane gas detectors are designed to detect leaks from propane tanks and appliances in homes that use propane instead of natural gas. They contain sensors tailored to the composition of propane gas.

Key facts about propane gas detectors:

  • Calibrated specifically for propane leaks, which is mostly propane (~90%) with some other hydrocarbons
  • Help protect homes using propane for heating, cooking, etc.
  • Should be placed near propane appliances, tanks, and lines
  • Available as portable detectors or larger permanently installed units

Using propane detectors provides an extra measure of safety and peace of mind for off-grid homes. They provide targeted sensing of propane leaks from tanks, piping, furnaces, generators, and other propane-fueled equipment.

Butane detectors

Butane detectors sense the presence of butane gas, which is commonly used as a fuel source for portable heating, cooking, lighters, and other applications. Butane is highly flammable as a gas and liquid.

Key facts about butane detectors:

  • Used to detect butane fuel leaks and prevent fire/explosion risk
  • Found in locations that store or use butane fuel like labs, industry, warehouses, etc.
  • Available as portable single-gas or multi-gas detector units
  • Help protect against oxygen-deficient atmospheres
  • May have digital readouts showing current butane concentration

Butane detectors provide an important level of protection when working with this combustible gas. They can alert users to developing leaks or unsafe butane buildup.

Can you convert a propane detector to detect natural gas?

No, propane detectors cannot be converted or ‘recalibrated’ to detect natural gas instead. The sensor technology within propane detectors is specifically designed and tailored to detect leaks of propane gas rather than natural gas.

There are a few reasons propane detectors cannot simply be recalibrated to sense natural gas:

  • Different fuel composition – Propane detectors are calibrated to propane’s unique chemical makeup.
  • Sensor limitations – The sensing method responds to propane, not natural gas.
  • Alarm thresholds – Danger levels are set for propane gas, not natural gas.
  • Firmware – The detector’s software is programmed for propane only.

While natural gas and propane detectors may look similar, they contain different sensor arrays and software optimized to detect their target fuel. A detector designed for one fuel cannot provide reliable sensing for a different gas composition.

Options for converting propane detectors

To provide natural gas leak detection, there are a couple options:

  • Replace – Swap out the propane detectors for new detectors designed for natural gas. This ensures accurate, reliable performance.
  • Use both – Keep the propane detectors for propane applications and add separate natural gas detectors. This provides detection of both fuels.

While not a direct conversion, pairing natural gas detectors with your existing propane units provides the best protective coverage. Propane and natural gas detectors provide inexpensive insurance against dangerous gas leaks.

Gas detector placement guide

Proper placement is critical for gas detectors to effectively alert occupants to dangerous gas leaks. Follow these general guidelines when installing gas detectors:

Carbon monoxide detectors

  • Install on every occupied level of the home
  • Place within 10 feet of each bedroom door
  • Avoid locations near vents, windows, or electrical equipment
  • Mount at eye level if possible

Natural gas detectors

  • Install near all natural gas appliances
  • Place near furnaces, water heaters, stoves, ovens, and dryers
  • Put near natural gas meters and pipe connections
  • Consider utility rooms, basements, and kitchens

Propane detectors

  • Locate in rooms with propane appliances or fireplaces
  • Place near propane tanks and supply lines
  • Put in basement workrooms with propane equipment
  • Avoid extremely dusty, dirty, or greasy areas

Always follow manufacturer guidelines for the specific detectors models used in your unique home layout and gas appliance configuration.

Gas detector maintenance tips

Regular maintenance helps ensure gas detectors continue providing reliable protection over their lifespan. Follow these tips:

  • Test monthly – Check that the alarm sounds when you press the test button.
  • Clean regularly – Gently vacuum or dust the cover to keep clean.
  • Replace batteries – If battery-powered, insert fresh batteries every 6-12 months.
  • Monitor alerts – Verify the alert light/sound works when first installed.
  • Consider age – Units may need replacement after 5-10 years.

Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for proper maintenance. Well-maintained detectors provide added peace of mind that you will be alerted to hazardous gas leaks.

Conclusion

In summary, carbon monoxide detectors and methane detectors serve very different purposes and cannot substitute for one another. Carbon monoxide detectors only detect the presence of carbon monoxide gas, while methane detectors are designed to find methane gas specifically.

Carbon monoxide detectors help alert occupants to toxic CO gas exposure. Methane detectors help detect combustible methane leaks before explosion risks develop. Using both types provides comprehensive alert capabilities for enhanced safety.