Every home needs smoke detectors in each bedroom, in hallways, and in the attic. It is estimated that around 25 percent of American homes do not have functional smoke alarms due to breakage or because the battery has been removed. Newly constructed homes must have them installed during the construction phase, but older houses may need to be wired specifically for them. Hardwired systems use the wiring that is already present in the home, and they usually require professional installation that can cost around $200 or more per unit. It can be confusing for a homeowner to know which smoke detector to buy, but reviews by various consumer groups can be a good guide. These groups test the devices and report on how each of them responds to smoke or fire.
One consumer group compared a BRK 9120B alarm with two models made by First Alert. The expert review found that the BRK alarm was well worth the cost of around $30, although it scored lower than First Alert models. This model is sold with a 9-volt battery back-up. This model is supposed to have far fewer false alarms that are common in detectors that use ionization sensors. False alarms that are caused by burning food can be a nuisance, and sometimes people take the batteries out if they do this often – defeating the effectiveness of the alarm. Installation is easy, and the alarm comes with a 10 year limited warranty. Another advantage to this model is that it has a UV-resistant cover that resists discoloration, even in direct sunlight. The BRK was rated an overall score of 3, or average for value, performance, features, and overall.
The First Alert SA340 alarm with a 10-Year sealed battery won over the BRK by a large margin with an overall rating of 5, the top score. This included the areas of value, performance, ease of use, and features. With this alarm, there is no possibility of removing the battery because once it is installed, it cannot be removed. The battery is protected by a tamper-proof case. This alarm and the BRK alarm both use ionization technology which is best at detecting flames rather than smoking or smoldering fires.
Hardwired detectors use the wiring that is already in the house to function. First Alert detectors continually rate first in reviews, and are top sellers for all models. The Kidde Hardwire Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup Interconnectable is a close runner up. The advantage of hardwired detectors is that they do not need annual battery changes, and they are often more reliable. They also do not require rewiring of a house because they use its current wiring. Interconnected alarms provide added safety from fires because when one alarm rings, all alarms in the house ring, notifying everyone that there is a problem. This alarm has an LED button that flashes every 10 seconds to signal that it is working, as well as battery backup in case the electricity in a house would shut off.
The First Alert Hard Wired Smoke Detector and Alarm With Adapter Kit has several features that make it popular. This hardwired model has a mute button that will silence the detector when the nuisance alarm goes off. In addition, this model can be plugged in to replace an older model without making any wiring changes, and it can be used with other hard wired alarms.
Reviews are usually reliable because those who test the detectors are not employed by any manufacturer, so test results are believed to be nonbiased. It is especially important to know which smoke detectors are the best since they can mean the difference between life or death.
