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If your carbon monoxide alarm is beeping or chirping every 30 to 40 seconds, it could be because the alarm needs to be replaced, the batteries are running low or the alarm itself is malfunctioning. If your alarm is emitting 4 or 5 beeps every five seconds, it has detected a level of carbon monoxide, and you should immediately turn off any carbon monoxide emitting appliances and leave your home. Carbon monoxide alarms cost between €20 to €100 and are available from most home DIY stores such as Woodies.
If your carbon monoxide alarm is constantly beeping or 'chirping' (every 30–40 seconds), then it might be a result of the following:
You should have previously tested your carbon monoxide alarm and be able to tell the difference between this beeping and the actual alarm going off.
Do not ignore a beeping detector, apart from being an extremely irritating sound, the detector will not respond to carbon monoxide in this condition.
Unlike simple smoke detectors, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms contain a sensitive chemical or electrochemical sensor that degrades over time, making them less reliable.
Even if your battery is working, an old CO alarm may not be able to detect the gas effectively.
The operational life span of a carbon monoxide alarm typically ranges from 5 to 10 years, depending on the model and the manufacturer:
Always check the back of your unit for the "Replace By" date or consult the manufacturer’s instructions. If you cannot find a date, assume the alarm needs to be replaced after 5 years.
When a CO alarm reaches the end of its life, it will typically enter a warning mode, which is designed to be impossible to ignore. This is often indicated by:
If your alarm signals the end of its life, replace the entire unit immediately.
A carbon monoxide alarm is only effective if it works. Regular testing is simple and should be a standard part of your home safety routine.
It is recommended that you test your carbon monoxide alarm at least once per month.
To Test Your Alarm:
If the alarm does not sound, replace the batteries and test it again. If it still fails the test, the unit is defective and must be replaced immediately.
If your alarm is emitting 4 or 5 beeps every five seconds, it has detected a level of carbon monoxide in your home and you should immediately:
If anyone is showing symptoms, exit the house immediately. Do not re-enter your house until you have been told it is safe to do so.
Call emergency services and let them know your condition, the condition of those around you, and any other information you may have. They will then send someone to assess you and your house.
How Much Do Carbon Monoxide Alarms Cost?
Suitable carbon monoxide alarms can cost from €15 - €40, although you also have the option of buying a smart dual smoke and carbon monoxide detector from Nest for around €90. There are no grants for carbon monoxide alarms.
Carbon monoxide alarms range in price from €20 to €100 depending on the following factors:
Basic alarms with standard features like battery power and a loud alarm sound are typically more affordable, while advanced models with features like interconnectivity, digital displays, and long-life batteries tend to be more expensive.
It's important to note that the cost of the alarm itself is a small investment compared to the potential, severe health risks associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Below you will find a table with our three recommendations for the top carbon monoxide alarms available to buy from basic to premium pricing:
| Brand | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Aico Ei208 | €20 - €30 | 10-year sealed battery for long-life |
| FireAngel FA3313-EUX10 | €30 - €40 | Wireless battery powered with digital screen |
| Google Nest Protect | €60 - €100 | Combines carbon dioxide with smoke detection. Smart home compatible |
Make sure the alarm you choose is:
Alarms are available from most DIY stores such as Woodies and also at larger supermarkets.
Where you place your carbon monoxide alarm is important as you want it to be somewhere close to potentially carbon monoxide producing appliances but also somewhere where you can hear it at night if it goes off.
Our recommendations are:
Try not to place alarms too close to cookers to avoid false alarms and install them 30 cm away from the ceiling but avoid placing them too close to the corners.
When in doubt, always refer to the manufacturers' instructions.
When in an enclosed area containing anything that might produce carbon monoxide, keep an eye out for the sudden onset of these symptoms, experienced by yourself or other household members:
Many of these symptoms are subtle or not easily attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is why it is also important to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in your home.
Can An Electric Boiler Produce Carbon Monoxide?
As electric boilers, and their combi boiler alternatives, don't burn a fossil fuel to produce heat, there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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You are most at risk from carbon monoxide while asleep, as you could not notice the symptoms which would normally alert you to the fact that something is wrong.
Therefore, it makes sense to place your carbon monoxide alarm somewhere it will wake you up if you are sleeping.
While placing an alarm near your bedroom is helpful for the reasons we outlined above, you may need several more alarms to take care of safety during the daytime when people are awake and in different areas of the house.
The kitchen and living room tend to be safe bets to place detectors, but realistically any room where there is a potential source of carbon monoxide should have one.
Yes. In Ireland, landlords have a clear legal responsibility to ensure their rental properties meet minimum safety standards, which includes the provision of carbon monoxide alarms where necessary.
The Housing (Standards for Rented Accommodation) Regulations mandate that landlords are responsible for installing carbon monoxide alarms in rental properties where required.
Under these regulations, a landlord must:
While the installation and structural maintenance are the landlord's duty, the tenant is typically responsible for:
Local authorities can issue Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices to landlords who fail to comply with these minimum standards, resulting in penalties and prosecution.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas which can make you sick or even cause death. It has no smell, taste, or colour, and as such has come to be known as the “silent killer”.
The gas can be found in any Irish home from improper burning of gas, oil in your condensing or oil boiler. The improper burning of wood or coal in a biomass boiler can also produce carbon monoxide.
According to Gas Networks, on average 6 people die in Ireland every year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes, usually caused by faults with installed central heating systems in their homes. This is why it’s so important to have your boiler serviced regularly and to have a carbon monoxide alarm properly installed.
It might also be worth considering replacing your boiler, as the older the boiler becomes, the more likely it is to not function properly. Replacing your boiler with a more modern, efficient model can also help you save on your energy bills.
If there is a lack of oxygen during the combustion process of fossil fuel, then carbon monoxide might be formed instead of carbon dioxide. Items and processes in the home which can produce carbon monoxide include:
To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, appliances should be well-maintained and kept in good working order, like with regular gas boiler services and bleeding your boiler.
Generators and fuel-powered outside appliances such as lawnmowers should never be turned on inside the house.
Vehicles produce carbon monoxide when they are running, so never leave a vehicle idling inside a covered space, e.g. a garage.
The toxic gas can also be released into the car interior if the exhaust pipe becomes blocked, so make sure to check that the exhaust pipe is clear if you’ve been driving in muddy conditions or through the snow.
Fireplaces, chimneys and flues should also be cleaned and checked every year.
The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.
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