How To Test Carbon Monoxide Detector (At Home)?

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How to Test a Carbon Monoxide Detector (updated for 2025)

Gas detection is crucial when it comes to ensuring the proper functioning of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and meters. To maintain the accuracy of these life-saving devices, it is essential to avoid using a car's exhaust gas for testing purposes. Instead, the recommended method involves using bottled or canned carbon monoxide gas specifically designed for testing CO detectors. Regularly testing the sensitivity of carbon monoxide meters and detectors is vital to guarantee their effectiveness in detecting the presence of this deadly gas. We offer a straightforward gas detection testing method that does not require any specialized tools, allowing users to easily verify the performance of their CO detectors and meters, ultimately ensuring the safety of their environment.

Pros

Cons

✅ How to Test Carbon Monoxide Alarm is easy and quick.

✅Bump testing assures your carbon monoxide alarm is operational.

✅ Assures you do not have a defective carbon monoxide meter.

✅ Requires only household equipment to undertake a real test.

⛔ Most people expose their carbon monoxide detectors to exhaust gas - do not do that!

⛔ When purchasing a new CO detector, most people assume the detector is functioning at 100%. Dont assume. Test and Verify.

⛔ All carbon monoxide detectors and meters have a finite life. Their life span ranges from 2 to 10 years. Be attentive.

⛔ CO detectors may require battery changes. We recommend yearly battery changes.

Best Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector?

While there are many excellent options to choose from when selecting a CO meter, some great devices include the following:

  • Forensics Detectors' Portable Carbon Monoxide Meter (portable)
  • Kiddie Ultra Sensitive Carbon Monoxide Detector
  • CO Experts Low Level CO Monitor
  • Defender Low Level CO Monitor

Can I Use Car Exhaust to Test a CO Detector?

No.

The most IMPORTANT rule regarding your carbon monoxide detector or meter is to never expose it to engine exhaust gas. I repeat:

Never expose your CO Detector to engine exhaust gas.

Many of us think, "It's a great idea - let's test the CO detector with our vehicle exhaust!". Engine exhaust gas is a terrible source of carbon monoxide because:

  • The carbon monoxide concentration is NOT constant. Exhaust gas varies in CO level. Sometimes it is low and sometimes it is high.
  • It has a large amount of humidity and is expelled at a high temperature. The combination of high temperature and humidity will likely damage the CO sensor and present a false reading.
  • High content of humidity in an air stream, such as vehicle exhaust gas, is a "false signal" culprit. 
  • The exhaust gas has acidic gas components such as NOx that cancel the real CO sensor output. Special filters are needed to remove humidity, treat acidic gases, and condition the exhaust stream before it is exposed to the gas sensor of your CO detector.

Technical Test: How Can I Test My Carbon Monoxide Detector?

The proper way to test your carbon monoxide detector is to obtain a CO bottle or CO test can gas. You can spray the gas onto the detector to confirm sensor function and proper LED and buzzer alarm operation. This type of testing is generally referred to as bump testing. There are many other method on How to Test Carbon Monoxide Alarm on YouTube and other resources, but exposing the CO alarm to real carbon monoxide gas is the ultimate test.

Home Test: How to Test Carbon Monoxide Alarm? (with Kebab stick)

Another way to test your CO detector is the "kebab stick" method.

Perfect for a quick domestic check.

  1. Obtain a match or kebab stick and get it to smolder.
  2. When anything smolders, especially incense, it produces a high concentration of carbon monoxide (although the absolute volume is relatively small).
  3. Place the smoldering stick in a glass mug upside down with your detector.
  4. Watch the detector readings increase until it alarms.
  5. See the video below.

Incense sticks work just as good, they smolder and actually produce a fair amount of carbon monoxide when confined in a small volume of space.

Should I Press the Test Button on My CO Detector?

Yes you should. 

A quick test that most of us remember is to press the TEST button your CO detector. This is very important because it confirms the buzzer, LED, and electronics are working properly. However, it does not verify that the CO detector is properly sensing carbon monoxide gas. Therefore, we recommend pressing the TEST Button weekly or monthly and exposing the detector to actual CO gas once per year.

What About Low-Level Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

Follow the same procedure to test low-level carbon monoxide detectors. Just be aware that the low-level detectors will alarm much faster and at lower thresholds than a typical UL2034 CO detector purchased from Amazon.

For example, the FORENSICS low level CO detector triggers an audible alarm when CO is detected at levels > 25ppm. Such low-level alarming is closer to various government gas exposure limits than traditional carbon monoxide detectors following the UL2034 alarm schedule (70 ppm for 60 - 240 minutes).

We emphasize that a low level carbon monoxide detector IS NOT a replacement for a UL2034 carbon monoxide detector, which is mandatory per most local code and state legislation.

Is my CO Detector Defective?

You can perform a quick test by pressing the TEST button on your detector. In the case of a failure, the device will show an ERROR signal via the LED or digital display. If this message shows or the detector does not respond, it is time to have it replaced.

CO detectors are suitable for about 3 to 10 years and should be replaced after that period of time. Check the back of the detector, as a date stamp should indicate age, production date, or expiration date. If this isn't the case, discard the device and get yourself a new detector to be sure it hasn't expired. 

What Causes a Carbon Monoxide Detector to False Alarm?

Some false alarm culprits are the following:

  • High Humidity and Moisture: If you are cooking and a concentrated stream of high humidity approaches the sensor, it may trigger the alarm. Another common situation occurs with the bathroom. If the CO detector is in the bathroom and you have a steamy shower, it will likely trigger a false alarm.
  • Hydrogen Gas: Most CO sensors are sensitive to hydrogen. Triggering false CO alarms can occur in battery storage rooms or garages, where batteries off-gas hydrogen as they charge. Hydrogen typically accumulates in these rooms and triggers a false CO detector alarm.
  • Low Battery: Sometimes, when the CO detector is low on battery, it "chirps" to let you know that it's time to change the batteries. Chirps occur with a fast "beep" and are repeated every minute, although this can be confused with an alarm.

What Does 4 Beeps on a CO Alarm Mean?

Four beeps from a CO detector typically means "Alarm." When a positive alarm has been triggered, it should be treated as an emergency. This means immediately evacuating your indoor space to fresh outdoor air. 

Will My CO Detector Alarm If I Breath on It?

Yes. If you breath long and hard enough, the high humidity from your breath can indeed trigger a CO detector.

Are Carbon Monoxide Voice Alarms Better?

These are useful as the voice indicates the status and alarm type. For example, if the CO detector is in actual alarm mode, the voice alarm will indicate this on most models.

If the unit requires new batteries, the voice will also indicate this. Voice alarms help to reduce confusion in an emergency situation. Please ensure that the voice is in a clean dialect that you understand and not a foreign voice that will confuse you further. Do your research to avoid this problem.

Can You Perform A Smell Test To Detect Carbon Monoxide?

No, you cannot perform a smell test for carbon monoxide as it is completely odorless. The only reliable way to detect this gas is through proper carbon monoxide detectors.

How to Test a CO Detector (Summary)

  1. Press the test button on the CO detector to ensure that the alarm sounds.
  2. Use a kebab stick or CO bump gas for testing CO detectors. Do not use combustion gas such as vehicle exhaust gas.
  3. If the CO detector does not sound the alarm trash the unit and purchase a new unit.

Conclusions

Gas detection is a serious matter, and testing and verifying your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors is crucial. Many people make the mistake of using exhaust gas to test their CO detectors, which should be strictly avoided. When purchasing a new CO detector, don't assume it's functioning perfectly; always test and verify its performance. Remember that all carbon monoxide detectors and meters have a limited lifespan, ranging from 2 to 10 years, so be attentive to their age. Regular battery changes, preferably yearly, are essential for maintaining the effectiveness of your gas detection devices. Adhering to local CO detector rules and regulations is vital for ensuring your safety, as carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that claims many lives each year. Prioritize proper gas detection practices to protect yourself and your loved ones from the silent killer.

About The Author

Dr. Koz Galatsis is the President of FORENSICS DETECTORS where the company operates from the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles, California. He is a subject matter expert on gas sensor technology, gas detectors, gas meters, and gas analyzers. He has been designing, building, manufacturing, and testing toxic gas detection systems for over 20 years.

gas detector expert

Every day is a blessing for Dr. Koz. He loves to help customers solve their unique problems. Dr. Koz also loves spending time with his wife and his three children going to the beach, grilling burgers, and enjoying the outdoors.

Read more about Forensics Detectors here.

Email:  [email protected]Phone: +1 424-341-3886
Tags: Carbon monoxide detector, Low level co detector Previous articleNext article

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About The Author

Dr. Kos Galatsis ("Dr. Koz") is the CEO of Forensics Detectors that operates from the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles, California. He is a subject matter expert on gas sensor technology, gas detectors, gas meters and gas analyzers. He has been designing, building, manufacturing and testing toxic gas detection systems for over 20 years.

Everyday is a blessing for Dr. Koz. He loves to help customers solve their unique problems. Dr. Koz also loves spending time with his wife and his three children going to the beach, grilling burgers, and enjoying the outdoors.

Read more about Forensics Detections here.

Email:  [email protected]Phone: +1 424-341-3886

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