For the third or fourth time since I’ve lived in my house I went to check the batteries in the smoke detectors only to realize they’re on AC power. But this time I got to wondering, is that really a good idea? What if the power goes out (BTW it says on the unit itself that it will not function during a power outage), or worse, what if the fire is what knocks the power out? Just seems like a silly idea. Sure, if they’re interconnected to all go off when one triggers that’s great (I don’t think mine are). If they normally run on mains, but have a battery backup, even better. But just being on mains seems kinda strange and almost pointless. Like having a fire extinguisher that only works in tempratures under 90 degrees. A false sense of security. So now I need to go out and buy a couple more smoke detectors. I leave the current one’s up where they are and just get a couple more to scatter elsewhere in the house.
WHAT? No battery backup?
Battery powered units require battery replacement once a year any way so go for the bp units,
My First Alert units are AC powered with battery backup. Those are the kind to have as far as I’m concerned. They are also interconnected via the AC wiring so they all sound off together. You might be able to just replace the units themselves with battery backup units from the same manufacturer. I think there are three wires connecting mine.
What brand are your existing units?