Can you extend the mileage on your home’s fire protection by switching to hardwired smoke detectors? As a safety-conscious homeowner, you already know that smoke alarms need to be tested monthly. You also know that batteries in traditional smoke alarms need to be replaced every six to 12 months.
However, the truth is that most people struggle to be consistent with replacing the batteries in their smoke detectors. If you’re being honest, you’d like a way to reduce your household maintenance burden without cutting corners on safety.
That’s why you may be wondering if fire safety at your home could be made easier by upgrading to hardwired smoke detectors. Keep reading to learn how many years you can expect to get from hardwired smoke detectors.
A Look at the Smoke Detectors Most of Us Already Know
Most people are familiar with battery-operated smoke detectors because we grew up in homes that had them. Common smoke alarms use 9-volt or AA batteries. While it’s possible for batteries to run for a few years, you’re very likely to hear chirping that alerts you to low battery power before the one-year mark. With battery-operated smoke alarms, it’s up to the homeowner to replace batteries as soon as they hear chirping. There’s a big risk that comes along with simply removing the batteries in order to make the chirping stop without actually replacing them.
Homeowners can also select lithium-ion battery smoke alarms that promise a 10-year lifespan. Smoke alarms powered by lithium-ion batteries reduce the need for frequent battery changes. However, homeowners still need to push the test buttons on their alarms each month to ensure that the batteries are functional.
The bigger issue is that lithium-ion batteries are flammable. While it may seem counterproductive to have a battery in your home’s fire alarm that can cause a fire, the reality is that lithium-ion batteries actually pose fire and explosion risks. These batteries can even release toxic gases into the home.
You may have even seen recent news reports about an increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in common household objects. There’s also some newer evidence suggesting that the 10-year sealed lithium batteries used in modern smoke detectors may not be as reliable as we once believed. You may not realize that your home isn’t protected.
What Are Hardwired Smoke Detectors?
Hardwired smoke detectors are one that’s connected directly to your home’s electrical system. If your first thought is that hardwiring a smoke alarm seems like a bad idea in the event of a power outage, you’ll be happy to hear that these smoke detectors have backup batteries that will kick in if the power is cut.
Hardwired smoke detectors offer one really neat benefit over battery-operated ones. Unlike battery-powered smoke alarms that act as independent “islands” in various parts of your home, hardwired alarms are usually connected. That means that one alarm going off will trigger all of the alarms. It’s much harder to sleep through a full-house alert when a fire breaks out!
A hardwired smoke detector is considered the most reliable option. Homeowners get the peace of mind of knowing that their fire protection won’t run out of juice without warning. In fact, the safety increase created by hardwired smoke alarms is enough for most insurance companies to offer discounted rates to homeowners who have them installed.
Of course, you’ll still need to follow the recommendation of replacing your smoke detector once every 10 years. Even the sharpest smoke alarm will begin to degrade after a decade. Your home’s fire safety is simply too important to take any chances with old hardware.
If adding hardwired smoke detectors to your home is something that interests you, you’ll need to work with a professional electrician for installation. A professional electrician will set up your new detectors using a 120-volt circuit. Ready to make your home safer? Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky. Reach out today for a quote.
