Had a similar issue last summer:
- Detector showed nothing, but kept getting headaches and feeling off.
- Called the gas company anyway—turned out a valve near the water heater was leaking slightly.
- Tech said detectors miss small leaks sometimes, so yeah... trust your senses first.
Those detectors are handy, but they're definitely not foolproof. Did you check if yours specifically detects natural gas, propane, or just carbon monoxide? A lot of folks don't realize there's a difference. Also, placement matters—did you have it near the ceiling or floor? Natural gas rises, propane sinks... so positioning affects sensitivity. I've seen small leaks slip right past detectors plenty of times. Bottom line: detectors are good backup, but never ignore your gut feeling if something seems off.
I've been wondering about this myself lately, actually. I picked up one of those combo detectors on sale a while back—supposedly detects carbon monoxide and natural gas—but now you've got me second-guessing how effective it really is. The instructions weren't super clear about placement either, so mine's currently just plugged into an outlet about waist-high... probably not ideal based on what you're saying.
I had no idea propane sinks and natural gas rises—that's pretty useful info. Makes me think about the time we had a weird smell in the basement last winter. The detector never went off, but my gut kept telling me something wasn't right. Called the gas company out of caution, and sure enough, they found a tiny leak near our water heater. They fixed it quickly, thankfully, but it left me skeptical about relying solely on gadgets.
Now I'm curious—do you (or anyone else here) trust the pricier models more? Are those expensive "smart" detectors worth the extra cash, or are we mostly paying for bells and whistles that don't improve actual detection accuracy? I'm all for investing in safety, but budget matters too... if there's a sweet spot between reliability and cost-effectiveness, I'd love to know what people think.
I've been thinking about this too lately, especially after a similar experience. A while back, we had one of those cheaper combo detectors plugged in near the kitchen. One evening, we smelled something weird—kind of like rotten eggs—but the detector stayed silent. We called the gas company anyway, and sure enough, they found a small leak behind our stove. It wasn't major, thankfully, but it made me question how reliable these budget-friendly detectors really are.
Since then, I've been debating whether to upgrade to one of those pricier "smart" models. I mean, do they actually detect leaks better, or are we mostly paying extra for smartphone alerts and fancy apps? I don't mind spending a bit more if it genuinely improves safety, but I'm skeptical about paying for unnecessary features. Maybe there's a middle-ground option that's reliable without breaking the bank...
You're definitely right to question the reliability of some of these budget detectors. I've seen similar situations quite a few times in my line of work—people relying on cheaper units that unfortunately don't always pick up smaller leaks. Good on you for trusting your instincts and calling the gas company anyway; that's exactly what I'd recommend anyone do if something seems off.
As for upgrading, pricier doesn't always mean better detection capability. Often, you're paying extra for convenience features like smartphone alerts or integration with smart home systems. While those can be handy, they aren't strictly necessary for safety. There are plenty of mid-range detectors out there that strike a good balance—solid sensors without all the bells and whistles. I'd suggest looking for models with clear certifications (like UL-listed or CSA-approved) and checking reviews specifically about detection accuracy rather than app features. A reliable standalone detector, properly installed and regularly tested, will usually serve you just fine without breaking the bank.
