Choosing the right smoke alarm.
The right smoke alarm comes down to these choices, and none of them are complicated once you know what matters. Here is the short version, with links to go deeper on each.
Meets current safety standards
Alarm safety standards get updated periodically and recent updates mean that newer alarms are required to have less false alarms due to cooking smoke and steam. They also do a better job detecting both smoldering and flaming fires. Make sure your alarms meet the current safety standards (UL 217 8th edition).
Reliability matters
Nobody wants an alarm that goes off for no reason or doesn’t work when there is fire or CO in the house. We wish we could tell you that one brand is better than the rest, but in our experience, that is simply not the case. There are good and bad models from most of the major manufacturers. We only install alarms with a proven track record for this reason. We’ve tested a lot and been disappointed a lot. This is the number one reason to hire an expert. The last thing we both want is for us to come back to your house because of a faulty alarm.
Power: hardwired or battery
Homes built since the early 1990s are usually hardwired to A/C power and interconnected, so when one alarm senses smoke they all sound. Older homes often run on batteries. Which you need depends on your home and your wiring. Here is hardwired vs. battery, explained.
Battery: sealed 10-year or replaceable
Sealed 10-year alarms never need a battery change for the life of the unit. Replaceable-battery models cost a little less up front but need a fresh battery every year and are more prone to wake up with a low battery chirp in the middle of the night. Here is how to choose.
Advanced feature or not: phone app integration, voice alerts, or simple
Smart alarms can text your phone when you are away, announce which room is affected, or integrate with your home automation system. They generally cost significantly more than simple alarms and that cost doesn’t mean they do a better job detecting smoke or CO. They are worth it for some people that enjoy technology but are overkill for most others. Here is our honest take.
Special needs: cooking, CO, and hearing
An alarm near the kitchen should resist cooking nuisance trips. A home with gas appliances, a fireplace, or an attached garage needs carbon monoxide alarms. And a household member who is hard of hearing needs special alarms to alert them.
