CO Is Colourless, Odourless, and Deadly — Is Your Detector Protecting You?
Carbon monoxide kills without warning. Free CO detector inspection with every furnace tune-up or safety call. Professional installation of hardwired and plug-in CO detectors throughout your home.
Why CO Detectors Are Your Last Line of Defence
Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of any fuel — natural gas, propane, wood, oil, gasoline. Every gas-fired appliance in your home is a potential CO source: furnace, water heater, fireplace, range, dryer. When any of these malfunction, CO can accumulate to dangerous levels within minutes.
CO poisoning symptoms — headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion — are easily mistaken for flu. Many people lose consciousness before they realize what is happening. A properly placed CO detector is the only protection that gives you enough time to get out safely.
- CO is undetectable by human senses — only detectors can identify it
- Detectors must be placed on every level of your home
- Units have a 5–7 year lifespan and must be replaced — not just the battery
- Alberta Building Code requires CO detectors in all new residential construction
How to Install Your CO Detector the Right Way
The colourless, odourless gas known as carbon monoxide (CO) has great potential for harm, including death. To avoid CO poisoning, it is essential to install carbon monoxide detectors in your house. But having a CO detector isn't enough — for it to be effective, it must be placed correctly. Here's everything you need to know about where to put a carbon monoxide sensor, where to put a CO alarm, and your mounting alternatives.
Before installing your CO detector, always read and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. Different devices may have specific requirements regarding height, distance from appliances, and placement in relation to bedrooms.
Proper carbon monoxide detector placement is a crucial step in protecting your home from the dangers of CO poisoning. By following the CO alarm placement guidelines above, you can ensure that your detectors are installed at optimal locations, providing timely alerts during emergencies. Regular maintenance, including testing and battery checks, will keep your detection system up and running.
Investing in quality detectors and understanding the best practices for carbon monoxide sensor positioning will create a safer environment for you and your loved ones. Remember, early detection can save lives! If you have any questions or need further assistance regarding the proper installation of carbon monoxide detectors, don't hesitate to reach out to our team.
"The Alberta Indoor crew to install the Gas Fired Water Heater and the Water Softener were excellent and completed the work on time."— Abdulla Harji, Calgary
Not Sure If Your Detectors Are Working?
Get a licensed technician to check placement, test function, and confirm expiry — book your free CO safety inspection in Calgary today.
Where CO Detectors Must Be Placed
Near Every Sleeping Area
CO poisoning is most dangerous during sleep — symptoms go unnoticed, and occupants lose consciousness without waking. A detector in or immediately outside every bedroom is required by Alberta Safety Code and is the single most critical placement.
On Every Level
CO is roughly the same density as air and distributes through your home rather than sinking or rising. A detector on each level — basement, main floor, upper floor — ensures any leak is detected regardless of source location.
Near Gas Appliances
CO is most likely to accumulate near your furnace, water heater, and fireplace. Placement within 5 metres of these appliances (but not so close as to cause false alarms from normal operation) provides early detection of combustion appliance malfunctions.
Three Steps — In This Order
Leave Immediately
Don't investigate the source, don't try to find where it's coming from, don't grab possessions. Get all people and pets out of the home immediately. Leave the door open behind you.
Call 911 from Outside
Once outside in fresh air, call 911 from your mobile phone. Do not use any phone inside the home — even briefly re-entering is dangerous. The fire department has CO detection equipment and will confirm the level before allowing re-entry.
Do Not Re-enter
Do not re-enter your home until emergency services have cleared it. A licensed technician must inspect all gas appliances before you return. We're available 24/7 for post-CO-event appliance inspection and repair.
Free CO Detector Inspection — With Every Service Call
We check your CO detector placement, test unit function, and verify expiry dates on every service visit. If your detectors are expired or improperly placed, we'll advise on replacement and correct installation.
CO Detector Questions
How long do CO detectors last?
5–7 years for most residential CO detectors. The electrochemical sensor inside degrades over time — changing the battery doesn't extend the sensor's life. Most units have an end-of-life warning chirp that activates when the sensor is spent. If your detector is approaching or past 7 years old, replace the entire unit regardless of battery state.
Can I put a CO detector anywhere?
Placement matters significantly. Avoid locations within 1.5 metres of fuel-burning appliances (too many false alarms), in garages, in enclosed spaces with poor airflow, or near cooking areas. The best locations: sleeping areas, hallways near bedrooms, and near furnace and water heater rooms. We advise on optimal placement during our free inspection.
My CO alarm went off but I can't smell anything — is it a false alarm?
Treat every CO alarm as real until confirmed otherwise. CO is odourless — you can't validate or dismiss it by smell. A false alarm is far less dangerous than ignoring a real one. Get everyone out, call 911, and have a licensed technician inspect your appliances before re-entering. We see real CO events dismissed as false alarms every year.
What are the CO sources most commonly responsible for residential poisoning?
Furnaces and boilers with cracked heat exchangers are the most common source. Vehicle exhaust from attached garages is second. Portable generators run indoors or in garages — often during power outages — are the most rapidly lethal. Fireplaces with blocked chimneys and gas ranges with inadequate ventilation round out the top five.
CO Detector Installation Across Calgary & Area
Schedule a Free CO Safety Inspection
FREE Carbon Monoxide Detector Install with Home Safety Inspection. We would like to provide Calgary and surrounding areas peace of mind — and that goes for anyone you know, too. Fill the form to have an agent reach out to book your assessment.
Our Recent Carbon Monoxide Detector Work in Calgary
Don't Wait for a Warning Sign That Never Comes
Free CO detector inspection with every service call. Professional installation of hardwired CO detectors. 24/7 emergency response.
Last updated: July 2026
