I live in a house that's over 30 years old, and I think it's time to replace my smoke detectors since they're going off whenever I use the oven, even when I'm not burning anything! They're hardwired currently, and I'm planning to upgrade to new photoelectric hardwired models. Any tips, tricks, or recommendations on which ones to get?
2 Answers
I used to have a lot of trouble with battery replacements, so I switched to hardwired detectors with no battery backup. To manage false alarms from the kitchen, I set up a kill switch that turns the detectors off when needed. Just a heads up though, this isn't a code-approved method, so it's just for my convenience right now. When I pass away, someone will definitely have to modify it, but it works great for me!
It's crucial to know that smoke detectors have an expiration date, usually about 10 years. While they might still work, older detectors can cause issues when selling your house since inspectors will check the dates. When you buy replacements, especially online, make sure you don't get ones that are close to their expiry.
That sounds clever, but I’m not sure I have the same electrical skills. I've seen newer models with a hush button that you can use for false alarms.