Gas Detection in Home

With the continuous advancement of technology, home and residential safety equipment has also been significantly upgraded. Among them, home gas detectors, as one of the important equipment to ensure life safety, are gradually becoming a necessary choice for more and more families. Various harmful gases, such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), Formaldehyde (HCHO), etc., may be produced in the house. Hazardous gases, if leaked or accumulated to dangerous concentrations, may cause serious accidents such as explosions, poisoning or fires, threatening the lives and properties of residents. These gas monitors can detect these potential dangers at an early stage and issue timely alarms to help residents take necessary avoidance measures.

Why Do Houses Need Gas Detectors?

• Energy sources such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas used in homes are subject to leakage. These gases can build up inside the house after a leak, creating dangerous concentrations that increase the risk of fire, explosion, and poisoning.  House gas detectors are able to detect these leaks at an early stage and raise the alarm if the gas concentration exceeds a safe threshold.
• Gas appliances and facilities used in the residential house, such as cookers, water heaters, etc., may be faulty or unsafe to operate, resulting in gas build-up or leakage.  Gas detectors can detect the gas concentration and guard against potential fire and explosion.
• Hazardous gases such as Carbon Monoxide and Methane are mostly colorless, odorless and tasteless and are difficult to detect without specialized equipment. Home gas detectors can continuously monitor the air for the presence of these harmful gases, even at low concentrations, and once a dangerous concentration is detected, an audible alarm and a visual alarm will sound to provide safety for the homeowner.

Types of Harmful Gases in Home

Common residential house hazardous gases include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Formaldehyde (HCHO), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Ammonia (NH3), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Benzene (C6H6), and Radon (Rn). These harmful gases have serious impacts on human health, so it is crucial to monitor and control indoor air quality.

• Carbon Monoxide (CO): Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas. The combustion of gas, wood, paint, fossil fuels, etc usually produces it. Inhalation of Carbon Monoxide in high concentrations can lead to poisoning and, in severe cases, death.

• Formaldehyde (HCHO): Formaldehyde is a harmful gas commonly found in new furniture, decorative materials, appliances and cosmetics. It may be released through volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can lead to reduced indoor air quality, headaches, respiratory problems and more. Long-term exposure or exposure to high levels of formaldehyde can cause eye and respiratory problems and has been linked to the development of cancer.

• Benzene (C6H6): Benzene is a carcinogenic and toxic organic compound with a particular aromatic odor. It is found in furniture, paints, glues, and various interior coatings. Prolonged exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

• Radon (Rn): Radon is a colorless, tasteless and odorless radioactive gas. Building materials are the most important source of indoor radon, such as granite, brick sand, cement and gypsum, especially natural stone containing radioactive elements, which is most likely to release radon gas. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer.

• Ammonia (NH3): Ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong irritating odor. Indoor ammonia mainly comes from cleaning agents, household chemicals, pet urine and food. Inhaling large amounts of ammonia can cause tearing, sore throat, headache and nausea.

• Methane (CH4): Household gas appliances such as gas cookers, water heaters, and gas fireplaces are the main sources of indoor Methane. These devices release Methane when they burn natural gas. It is a flammable gas that poses a fire and explosion hazard.

• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S): Hydrogen Sulfide is a colorless, poisonous gas with a rotten egg odor that can come from sewage treatment, biodegradation, groundwater and soil, certain household chemicals and cleaning agents. Even low concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide can impair the sense of smell. Instead, it is odorless at high concentrations (because high concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide can paralyze the olfactory nerves).

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs are a class of chemicals that can evaporate into a gaseous state and are often found in products such as detergents, paints, glues, fragrances, household appliances, etc. VOCs can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract, sensitize the skin, and cause headaches, sore throats and fatigue.

Gas Monitors for Home

1. Combustible Gas Detector: It is used to monitor the presence of combustible gas leaks (e.g., natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas) indoors to prevent fires and explosions. The combustible gas detector is commonly used in household equipment such as cookers, gas water heaters, fireplaces, etc.

2. Carbon Monoxide Gas Detector: The Carbon Monoxide detector is used to detect indoor Carbon Monoxide concentration and warn the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning in advance, usually used in bedrooms, hallways, kitchens, gas water heaters, fireplaces, chimneys and other locations.

3. Methane Gas Detector: A methane detector is used to detect Methane emitted from decoration materials, furniture boilers and cleaning products to prevent gas leaks and explosions, usually installed in the kitchen, water heaters, boilers, gas meters and other locations.

4. Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Detector: A Hydrogen Sulfide detector is used to detect indoor Hydrogen Sulfide concentration, especially in the sewer, basement, rubbish accumulation and other hazardous areas, you can consider installing a Hydrogen Sulfide gas detector.

5. VOCs Gas Detector: GasDog.com provides some VOCs gas detectors that can be used to monitor compounds released from various indoor products and materials such as indoor furniture, decorative materials, cleaning supplies, paints, carpets, air fresheners and more.

6. Ammonia Gas Detector: An Ammonia detector is usually used in kitchens, laundries, and places where detergents and fertilizers are stored.

7. Formaldehyde Gas Detector: The Formaldehyde detector is usually used to detect Formaldehyde emanating from decoration materials, furniture and cleaning products. Place Formaldehyde detectors in areas where formaldehyde may be present, such as newly renovated rooms, near newly purchased furniture, kitchens and bathrooms.

8. Multi-Gas Detector: A multi-gas detector can detect a wide range of harmful gases, such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Methane, etc., to provide a full range of indoor air quality monitoring. It is usually placed in areas such as newly renovated rooms, near combustion equipment, cleaning supplies storage, kitchens and bathrooms.

Gas detectors have become part of the smart home and they play an important role in keeping your house safe, preventing accidents and improving indoor air quality. GasDog store offers a wide range of inexpensive, high quality and stable-performance home gas detectors online. These products can create a healthy, safe and comfortable living environment for you.