Carbon Monoxide Detector

[Mr-H]

I have a carbon monoxide detector which i think is playing up, or even broken. Although I have gas in the house (cooker, fire, central heating) nothing was being used at 6.00 this morning, when the alarm went off. The alarm has activated two or three times in the last couple of months and the gas board emergency people have been called each time. They checked all of the equipment for leaks and found nothing. This last time after it had gone off and no gas appliances were working, I actually wrapped the thing in a towel and put it in a drawer! An hour later the alarm activated again! I ignored it, and it stopped, only to start again about an hour later - still in the drawer, wrapped in a towel!
My question is this - do I have a problem, or is the detector at fault? Is it worth changing the batteries? Or, do I simply through it away and buy another? Is it worth all the hassle?

[buildersmate]

These devices are for detecting carbon monoxide. There's next-to-no carbon monoxide in the natural gas supply - it is predominately methane and non-poisonous - so expecting to find a gas leak by such a device is pointless. I'm surprised the gas emergency people didn't tell you that.
What they detect is inadequate combustion of the gas when BURNT - leading to potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you haven't got any gas appliances running, there's no possibility of carbon monoxide.
The detector is either faulty or needs its batteries changing.

[Mr-H]

Thanks very much for the speedy response - you have set my 65 year old mind, and my wife's 62 year old mind at rest. I'll try the battery change first, then maybe replace the whole unit. If after replacing the unit the alarm still activates, then I know I have a problem! Thanks again.

[Jack_Knoff]

The simple and sensible thing to do is buy a new carbon monoxide detector, around £30 will get you a decent detector . Not spending £30 is not worth the possible alternative

[society]

I had same experience. Changing the batteries solved my problem. Before insuring expenses of a new one, try changing the batteries.