Guide to Natural Gas Alarm Safety
Learn how natural gas detectors work, where to install them, and how to protect your home from methane leaks with fast, reliable gas alarm safety guidance.
No. A standard carbon monoxide (CO) alarm does not detect natural gas. These are two chemically different hazards that require entirely different sensors, so you need the right device for each type of threat.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic byproduct created by incomplete combustion, such as from a malfunctioning furnace, fireplace, or gas appliance. CO alarms are designed with electrochemical sensors that react specifically to carbon monoxide molecules and measure exposure over time.
Natural gas is primarily methane, a highly flammable fuel that can create an explosion risk if it accumulates in the air. Methane requires a different sensor technology altogether, so standard CO detectors are not capable of sensing a natural gas leak.
Because the risks are different, the best home safety approach is to have protection for both hazards, especially in homes with gas appliances.
Yes. If your home uses natural gas appliances such as a stove, furnace, boiler, water heater, or fireplace, a dedicated natural gas alarm provides protection that CO alarms cannot. While gas companies add an odorant (mercaptan) to help you smell leaks, that odor can be missed, fade over time, or be impossible to detect while you are asleep.
A natural gas detector is designed to alert you early, before gas reaches an explosive concentration, giving you time to evacuate safely and call emergency services.
Because these gases behave differently in the air, placement is not the same.
To ensure complete protection, you can install separate alarms or use a combination unit designed to detect both hazards. The DeNova Detect Natural Gas & Carbon Monoxide Alarm is a 2-in-1 detector that provides the specialized technology required to monitor both methane (natural gas) and carbon monoxide in a single device.
A carbon monoxide alarm does not detect natural gas. For full home safety, use CO alarms for poisoning prevention and a dedicated natural gas alarm (or a properly designed combination unit) to detect explosive methane leaks.
Learn how natural gas detectors work, where to install them, and how to protect your home from methane leaks with fast, reliable gas alarm safety guidance.
Learn which detector you need for natural gas, how it works, where to install it, and why methane requires a dedicated gas alarm for home safety.
Learn the difference between natural gas alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, how each works, and why homes need both for complete safety.
Find out whether carbon monoxide alarms detect natural gas, why they don’t, and what type of detector you need for complete home safety.
Learn how natural gas detectors sense methane, the difference between traditional and MEMS sensors, and why early detection is critical for home safety.
Find out if you need a natural gas detector, why smelling gas isn’t reliable, and how early detection helps protect your home from leaks.
Learn the dangers of natural gas leaks, including explosion and oxygen displacement, warning signs to watch for, and how gas detectors protect your home.
Learn how to choose the best natural gas alarm for your home. Compare detector types, placement, sensor technology, and key safety features.
Compare battery-powered and hardwired natural gas alarms. Learn which option offers better placement, reliability, and faster gas leak detection.
Compare battery-powered and plug-in natural gas alarms. Learn which offers better placement, faster detection, and reliable protection during outages.
Learn how to keep your home safe from natural gas leaks with proper detection, alarm placement, and preventative maintenance tips.
Learn how to keep apartments and rentals safe from natural gas leaks, including alarm placement, tenant responsibilities, and NFPA 715 guidance.
Learn how landlords and property managers can reduce risk from natural gas leaks with proper alarm placement, detection standards, and best practices.
Find answers to common questions about DeNova Detect natural gas alarms, including installation, operation, battery life, and gas safety.
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