Taken from the internet: There’s a myth that carbon monoxide alarms should be installed lower on the wall because carbon monoxide is heavier than air. In fact, carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and diffuses evenly throughout the room. According to the carbon monoxide guidelines of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 720, 2005 edition), all carbon monoxide alarms “shall be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms,” and each alarm “shall be located on the wall, ceiling or other location as specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit.” *Why CO alarms are often installed near the floor* Standalone carbon monoxide alarms are often placed low on the wall because they need to be plugged into an outlet that’s near the floor. CO alarms can also have a screen that shows the CO level and needs to be at a height where it’s easy to read. *Why you shouldn’t install a CO alarm near heating or cooking appliances* Also keep in mind not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. A carbon monoxide detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms. For more information about carbon monoxide safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association <http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/fire-and-life-safety-equipment/carbon-monoxide>.

Tom is correct. CO presents no danger to an appliance. No need for a detector in the utility room! Rather than place any faith in a detector to indicate a problem with an appliance, far better to have a trained professional check appliances for CO output. Most HVAC service people are NOT trained in CO detection, most do not know what the acceptable thresholds are for fossil fuel burning appliances, and the majority do not have the proper detection equipment or know how to use it effectively. To determine if your service company is qualified, ASK. They should have specific CO training and certification.They should employ a Monoxor or other CO detecting instrument that can measure the CO content of the products of combustion. Oil burners should be tuned using instruments including a combustion analyzer ($800-$1800) to accurately determine the CO levels and tune the burner to its optimum settings. An oil burner service should include a printout of the combustion analysis given to the customer to document that the appliance has been properly tuned and is safe. That analysis should include ppm of CO. Rising CO levels can indicate a problem that would otherwise be undetected. An appliance can operate normally for a time, but if CO levels begin to rise in ANY degree, there's a serious problem that MUST be addressed, because eventually the levels can rise exponentially and the appliance can spill products of combustion into the living space. There's no justification whatsoever for a company engaged in the HVAC service business to NOT have this training or the instruments that facilitate the proper execution of that training. That's my opinion as a retired HVAC business operator. tr Is  that a rant?? <G> ------- Steve Sipe Solo 4303 /Maerin/ On 10/5/2020 12:13 PM, TW Collins via Trawlers-and-Trawlering wrote: > > *Why you shouldn’t install a CO alarm near heating or cooking appliances* > > Also keep in mind not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly > above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a > small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. A carbon monoxide > detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or > cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms.