What kind of smoke detectors should i get

This consent is not required to make a purchase from us. Smoke detectors are installed in apartments and houses all around the country and save lives, yet most homeowners are not familiar with how these devices work. There are two main types of smoke detectors. Most homeowners don't know that smoke detectors come in two types: ionization smoke detectors and photoelectric smoke detectors. At this point you might wonder why anyone even bothers with knowing the difference.

While it may not be make for the most riveting article to read, knowing how ionization and photoelectric detectors work differently can potentially save your life one day.

This type of smoke detector uses ionized particles to detect the presence of smoke. Each ionization smoke detector holds a tiny amount of radioactive material, which is placed between two electrically charged plates. The reaction between these components causes the ionization of air. This in turn creates a current between the two plates. When smoke gets into the detector, the current is disrupted and the alarm is triggered.

Ionization smoke detectors are know to work better with flaming fires—these are fires with aggressive, open flames. Their effectiveness with other types of fires, such as smoldering fires, isn't as great. That is why we have another type of smoke detector. The second most popular type of smoke detectors are photoelectric detectors. Unlike ionization detectors, these detectors use a light source and a light sensor to detect smoke. Once the smoke enters the detection chamber, the smoke particles block the light beam and partially reflect light onto the sensors.

This in turn trips the alarm. Since many smoldering fires fill the room with dangerous fumes and smoke way before progressing to the open-flame stage, these type of detectors tend to be better at early detection. The only real way to improve your safety is to install both types of smoke detectors in every room where a smoke detector might be necessary.

We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Fire and smoke can present some of the most dangerous emergencies in your home. Detectors and alert systems often test for the presence of smoke, since this is the first sign of trouble and often more deadly than the fire itself. Smoke detectors use two types of sensors: photoelectric and ionization. Photoelectric smoke alarms are best at detecting slow-burning smoldering fires and may cause fewer false alarms, while ionization smoke alarms are better at detecting sudden, fast-burning fires.

For the ultimate safety, choose a smoke detector with both types of sensors. Aside from sensor type, the other main consideration is whether you need hardwired detectors. Hardwired smoke detectors may require an expert for installation , but the major pro is that they only rely on batteries as a backup power source. The downside, of course, is that they will start chirping when the battery is low.

Both hardwired and battery-operated units will alert you when they are near the end of their lifespan, typically after five to 10 years of use. To make your decision easier, we researched dozens of smoke detectors and evaluated them on the basis of power, lifespan, sensor type, and integration into your whole home system if applicable.

Each of the detectors chosen in this article was determined to be the best of these factors. Read on for our top picks. There are plenty of great smoke detectors on the market, but this combo unit from Kidde sets the bar for ease of install, superior detection, and multi-type alerts. One of the best features is the voice alerts, which notifies you if it detects fire or smoke, carbon monoxide, low battery , or the hush feature is active.

Installation is a breeze with the included base. If you have other Kidde products in your home, you can use the base you already have since they are compatible. This is a battery-operated unit, so you will need to periodically change the batteries. Fortunately, you can do this without removing the detector from the wall-mounted base. We like this extra safeguard as it ensures our alarm is always functioning correctly.

The Kidde 10 Year Smoke Detector has some great features that homeowners will love. It is battery-operated, which makes installation easier.

But the lithium batteries come installed in the unit and will last for 10 years without ever needing to be changed or chirping in the middle of the night. This smoke detector uses an ionization sensor to detect smoke particles in the air. It is available in single or multi-packs and does have a slightly pricier hardwired version that uses the lithium battery as a backup.

The Firex alarm from Kidde includes a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector that will alert all hardwired alarms within the system to the threat. It uses a photoelectric sensor to detect smoke and a carbon monoxide sensor to detect the deadly gas in your home. The voice alert tells you which danger is present, and the 85 dB alarm makes sure that you hear the horn.

Because it is hardwired, these detectors do require professional installation. You can set this up through Home Depot when you purchase the units or look for someone in your local area. After taking care of installation, the interoperability of the units makes sure that you always know of danger no matter where you are in your home. This combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector also has multiple power sources hardwired with a lithium battery backup.

You'll never have to worry about losing power or changing the lithium batteries before the end of the installed battery's year lifespan. You will need professional installation, but this additional setup step means that you can connect up to 24 units into one whole-home system. This battery-operated unit is easy to install, has visual and audible alerts, and uses multiple sensors.

Whether it detects smoke using its photoelectric sensors or carbon monoxide using its electrochemical sensors, the voice alert will let you know about the danger. The visual panel will light up with either smoke or carbon monoxide for another layer of alerts and protection. It uses two AA batteries, which many homeowners have on hand.

Changing the battery is easy with the pop-open panel on the front of the unit. If you do get a low battery alert, you can silence it for up to eight hours while you change the batteries in the unit. How they work: Ionization-type smoke detectors have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ionize the air and causes current to flow between the plates.

When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm. Photoelectric Smoke Detectors — This type is more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering, such as a cigarette burning in a couch or bedding. How they work: Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the alarm.

Although ionization alarms are more likely to sound an alarm from normal cooking due to their sensitivity to minute smoke particles, there so many variables associated with kitchen nuisance alarms that it is difficult to say which type of smoke detector is better for kitchen use.

These variables include the smoke detector brand, variations in sensitivities of older units, the cooking activity, air currents and the device location. The bottom line is that ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors are each better at detecting distinctly different — yet potentially fatal — fires. And, since no one can predict what type of fire might start in the kitchen, the U. Fire Administration recommends that homeowners use both ionization AND photoelectric smoke detectors.

Check Local Regulations Before you shop, check regulations in your area. Also, some insurance companies offer a discount for homes with smoke detectors. Battery-only detectors are the simplest to install, and they work during a power failure. Some models use removable batteries that require annual replacement, while others use sealed lithium batteries that last the life of the detector. Plug-in detectors are also available, but electric outlets are typically located low on the wall, while the optimal placement for the detector is on or near the ceiling.

But if you decide to outfit your home with them, we recommend also installing additional dual-sensor smoke detectors. Smart detectors, whether hardwired or battery-powered, will also interconnect with other detectors of the same model.

Another option is the Roost Smart Battery , which replaces the 9-volt battery in smoke and CO detectors that use them. It adds WiFi, smartphone alerts, and in-app hushing for battery-powered models only to existing detectors. You should also look for the date of manufacture printed on the back of the detectors. Devices lose their sensitivity over time, so the fresher, the better.

As a rule of thumb, replace carbon monoxide detectors every five years and smoke detectors every 10 years. UL has also announced updates to its standards, which will require all manufacturers to make smoke detectors that can distinguish between smoldering fires and cooking smoke by the end of June The Truth About Interconnected Detectors You can interconnect some smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so that all units in the house sound an alarm when any single one is triggered.

Some newer homes may have wiring already in place to link the detectors. In a home without such wiring, you can buy detectors that interconnect wirelessly. These interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are an important safety feature in a home with multiple levels, although standalone detectors may be adequate for a small, single-level home. While interconnected alarms can make your home safer, they have some limitations.

In many cases interconnected alarms can interconnect only with models made by the same brand. Despite the limitations, we recommend using interconnected detectors. They can make your home much safer by alerting you to danger before the fire or CO spreads throughout your home.

Roux adds that interconnected alarms whether hardwired or wireless are also becoming a requirement in many states when you try to sell your home. Consider Voice Alerts Children tend to sleep more deeply than adults and might not awaken to a conventional alarm. Consider Your Security System You can incorporate some smoke and carbon monoxide detectors into a security system that sounds an alarm outside and inside the house.

Such systems may also have a monitoring service that can notify the police or fire department, or even call your cell phone. The latest smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have added features to better protect you and your family.

A backup battery for hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors offers security in case of a power failure. All battery-powered smoke and carbon monoxide detectors warn you when the battery is low.