If you live in Ontario, carbon monoxide (CO) safety isn’t optional. It’s a part of the law. New carbon monoxide regulations are coming, and homeowners must meet them before 2026.
At Aire One, our HVAC company helps Ontario families protect their homes with proper CO detector installation, testing, and maintenance. Here’s everything you need to know about CO alarm placement, testing, and Ontario’s new rules so you can stay safe and within code.
Why Carbon Monoxide Safety Matters?
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. It has no smell, color, or taste. It forms when fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, fireplaces, stoves, or water heaters don’t burn fuel completely.
Even a small leak can cause headaches, nausea, confusion, or worse, unconsciousness and death. That’s why every home in Ontario must have working CO alarms wherever there’s a risk.
A CO alarm Ontario homeowners install correctly can detect danger early and give you time to act.
Ontario’s New CO Alarm Rules: What K-W Homeowners Must Do Before 2026!
By 2026, new updates to the Ontario home safety code require all homes, new and old to follow stricter CO detector rules.
Here’s what that means:
- Every home with a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage must have carbon monoxide alarms.
- Homes with multiple floors need an alarm on each level.
- If anyone sleeps on a floor, there must be a CO alarm outside each sleeping area.
- Landlords and building owners are responsible for installing and maintaining alarms. Tenants must report any problems.
Failing to follow these carbon monoxide law Ontario changes can lead to fines or worse, preventable tragedy. Aire One’s HVAC contractors can check your system and help you meet the 2026 deadline safely and affordably.
Where to Install CO Alarms in Ontario Homes?
Knowing where to install CO alarms is just as important as owning them. Placement affects how well they detect gas buildup.
Here’s what experts recommend for CO alarm placement:
- Outside sleeping areas: The most important location. CO rises and spreads fast while you sleep.
- Each level of your home: Basements, main floors, and upper floors all need coverage.
- Near fuel-burning appliances: Place alarms 5–10 feet away, not beside them.
- CO alarm height Ontario: Mount at eye level on a wall or ceiling per instructions.
Avoid installing CO detectors near windows, doors, or vents where air movement can block gas detection.
If you’re unsure, Aire One’s HVAC services include professional home inspections to make sure your alarms are placed correctly.
How to Test Your CO Alarm?
Testing your CO alarm is simple, but most people forget to do it. Every CO alarm has a test button. Press and hold it until you hear a loud beep.
That sound means the internal circuits are working. But it doesn’t test how well the sensor detects gas. That’s why manufacturers also recommend a CO testing procedure once a year.
You can buy a CO test kit, or have an HVAC contractor perform a full system check. Aire One technicians test CO alarms, inspect furnaces, and make sure no leaks exist in your system.
How often should You Test CO alarms?
- Monthly: Press the CO alarm test button.
- Annually: Schedule a CO detector test and HVAC maintenance.
- Every 5–7 years: Replace your CO alarm completely.
- If the unit chirps, flashes “ERR,” or shows low battery warnings, fix it right away.
CO Alarm Maintenance and Replacement
Like smoke alarms, CO detectors wear out. Dust, humidity, and age affect the sensor.
To keep your CO alarm Ontario system reliable:
- Replace batteries twice a year. When you change clocks for daylight saving.
- Clean the alarm’s surface with a dry cloth monthly.
- Don’t paint over the alarm. Paint can block vents and sensors.
- Replace the alarm every 5–7 years or as stated by the manufacturer.
If you’re unsure how old your alarms are, check the manufacturing date on the back. There is no date? Replace them.
Regular CO alarm maintenance keeps you safe and saves money by preventing HVAC problems linked to poor combustion.
HVAC Systems and Carbon Monoxide Risk
Many HVAC systems are fuel-burning, like furnaces, boilers, and water heaters. If any part of your system leaks exhaust gas, CO can fill your home fast.
Here are common CO leak sources you need to know about:
- Cracked furnace heat exchangers
- Blocked vents or flues
- Faulty pilot lights
- Poorly installed gas lines
That’s why an annual HVAC service check is vital. Aire One’s trained HVAC contractors inspect heat exchangers, clean vents, and confirm proper exhaust flow.
A yearly tune-up not only reduces risk but also improves energy efficiency and lowers bills.
CO Alarm Rules for Apartments, Condos, and Rentals
Ontario’s carbon monoxide law applies to all buildings, not just detached homes.
Landlords must install and maintain alarms in rental properties that have gas stoves or furnaces, attached garages, fireplaces, and fuel-burning water heaters.
Tenants are responsible for testing alarms and reporting problems. Disabling an alarm or removing batteries is illegal.
For condos or apartment buildings with shared systems, alarms are needed in each individual unit, plus common furnace rooms.
If you rent in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, or Guelph, Aire One’s HVAC company can work directly with your property manager to make sure every unit meets carbon monoxide regulations.
What to Do If Your CO Alarm Goes Off
If your CO alarm sounds and you’re not testing it:
- Leave the home immediately.
- Call 911 or your local fire department.
- Don’t go back inside until it’s declared safe.
Once the emergency is handled, schedule an HVAC contractor visit to find the cause. Aire One’s technicians can locate and repair leaks, replace alarms, and restore safe operation.
Never ignore a CO alarm. The gas builds silently and can overwhelm you before symptoms start.
Ontario Home Safety: Steps to Stay Protected Year-Round
Home safety Ontario experts recommend a layered approach to carbon monoxide safety.
Install and test CO alarms regularly using the CO alarm test button, and follow CO detector rules and carbon monoxide regulations, including proper CO alarm placement and CO alarm height Ontario guidelines outlined in the carbon monoxide law Ontario, and Ontario home safety code.
Keep vents and chimneys clear of snow and debris, never idle vehicles in the garage, and learn the symptoms of CO poisoning, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion.
Testing your system and knowing where to install CO alarm units can help prevent emergencies. Aire One’s licensed HVAC company offers CO detector installation, CO alarm maintenance, and CO testing as part of their regular HVAC services, making it easier to stay safe.
Before 2026: Schedule Your CO Safety Check
Ontario’s 2026 carbon monoxide deadline is getting closer. Don’t wait until the last minute to meet the new code.
Our HVAC company serves homes across Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, and Cambridge, installing high-quality CO alarms and testing systems for leaks.
Protect your family, meet the Ontario home safety code, and get peace of mind. Call Aire One today to book a CO alarm inspection and ensure your home is safe, legal, and ready for 2026.
Stay Safe with Aire One
Protecting your home from carbon monoxide isn’t optional; it’s your responsibility to keep your loved ones safe. Ontario’s carbon monoxide regulations make sure every family has an early warning if danger strikes.
Don’t risk your safety or miss the 2026 compliance deadline. Call Aire One today for expert CO detector installation, testing, and maintenance by licensed HVAC professionals.