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This is interesting

I suppose we shouldin't be surprised that this was coming.  The smart home is getting smarter.  Not for everyone, but it gets good style points.



<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/08/nest-protect-is-a-129-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-detector-that-takes-nest-deeper-into-the-connected-home/">http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/08/nest-protect-is-a-129-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-detector-that-takes-nest-deeper-into-the-connected-home/</a>



Larry

Comments

  • Bob Harper
    Bob Harper Member Posts: 1,034
    going for UL 2034 listing

    Saw this on another site. They are apparently going for a UL listing but not there yet. It seems they are more worried about how to conveniently silence false alarms than in making a device with a reliable sensor and setting alert parameters that actually protect people. For those who don't know, alarms listed to UL 2034/2075 are NOT designed to protect against CO poisoning but merely CO death. They are intended to alert only once you've reached a COHb of 5%, which means you must already have CO poisoning before they are supposed to alert. I say supposed because they are also notoriously unreliable.



    If they would change the alert program to a low level unlisted monitor they might have something. Until then, I'll just have to remain cynical.
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,418
    So I guess.....

    the question is..."Why aren't the good listed CO alarms easily available?" They have plenty of the regular Nighthawk ones at big box stores but you cant even pick up a listed CO detector at a supply house?

    kcopp
  • Bob Harper
    Bob Harper Member Posts: 1,034
    off the shelf unlisted low level CO monitors?

    Well, I agree John. NCI only sells to contractors who have taken day one of their Cert. course and require them to sign a paper saying they will personally install each one and not sell cash & carry. George Kerr sells them to anyone off his CO Experts website (his price has gone waaaaay up!). I heard he was going to market his monitors through Graingers but I don't see them on their website.



    The gubbermint introduced legislation (HR1796, which passed the House) to outlaw the manufacture, sale or distribution of unlisted CO alarms. That's why these are called "monitors".  The big alarm mfrs. are in bed with the fire chiefs, IFSTA, etc. who don't want low level accurate CO alarms. You see, fire depts. are the ones typically charged with emergency response to CO alarms and it eats into their budgets. It's always follow the money. The bldg. codes all refer to UL2034/ 2075 alarms. Fine, install the junk then install a low level monitor that's going to protect you from CO poisoning. Listed alarms are designed to alert only once you already have CO poisoning-5% COHb level. They are for acute catastrophic exposures but do nothing to protect day in, day out against lower levels of CO poisoning. The UL listed junk usually state on their own packaging you may need "additional protection" for infants, elderly or those with certain medical conditions. Then the gubbermint outlaws that additional protection!
  • Sal Santamaura
    Sal Santamaura Member Posts: 529
    Oxymoron

    "Why aren't the good listed CO alarms easily available?"



    Because no such thing exists.  :)   If an alarm qualifies for listing, it's by definition not "good," except maybe to meet ridiculous codes that mandate its installation.
  • Sal Santamaura
    Sal Santamaura Member Posts: 529
    Available and not too expensive

    "George Kerr sells them to anyone off his CO Experts website (his price has gone waaaaay up!). I heard he was going to market his monitors through Graingers but I don't see them on their website."



    I bought mine here:



    http://www.aeromedix.com/Ultra-Low-Level-CO-Detector-CO-Experts-2014.html



    Ordering was simple, price (after the 'Coupon Code' discount) about the same as what I paid the last two times.



    "The gubbermint introduced legislation (HR1796, which passed the House) to outlaw the manufacture, sale or distribution of unlisted CO alarms...Then the gubbermint outlaws that additional protection"



    Fortunately, passage of a bill by the House alone does not a law make.  :-)
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    Tried to Order This Item

    But Firefox said the site was not trustworthy.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc
  • Jean-David Beyer
    Jean-David Beyer Member Posts: 2,666
    Firefox said the site was not trustworthy.

    Firefox on my (Linux) machine does not tell me that. 24.2.0

    I clicked to indicate that it was trustworthy. I bought my good CO detector from them.
  • Sal Santamaura
    Sal Santamaura Member Posts: 529
    edited January 2014
    Firefox (26.0) on my Windows laptop...

    ...gave no such warning when I ordered last year or just now when clicking on the link.
  • Gordo
    Gordo Member Posts: 856
    Got A Reply From Them

    Saying they were updating their web site and their certificate would be valid in a few days.

    Just got off the phone after ordering two units.  Very pleasant to deal with, they were.



    The warning only seems to pop up when trying to complete an order, not when just visiting the site.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    "Reducing our country's energy consumption, one system at a time"
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Baltimore, MD (USA) and consulting anywhere.
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/all-steamed-up-inc