How long does a HARDWIRED smoke alarm BACKUP battery last?

Samwfive wrote: ↑ Looks like all models have battery backup. Now, if I have to change the batteries every year....doesn't that defeat the purpose of having hardwiring? I might as well buy the 10yr lithium operated ones?

JEDI Force wrote: ↑ Hardwired without batteries
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/kidde- ... 1000416667

Obviously, it won't work if the power is out.

insertname2020 wrote: ↑ Kidde has had a lot of issues with their sealed battery alarms - false trips and batteries failing early. I would avoid them.
The very reason I'm avoiding batteries.

It's actually illegal to replace hard wired alarms installed to comply with building codes with battery operated.
Hmmm?

The greatest benefit is the ability to interconnect with other alarms so if your alarm goes off in the basement you hear it loud upstairs.
Battery also needs to be changed less frequently than conventional 100% battery operated. (yes, you can buy wireless interconnect 100% battery operated alarms, but super expensive and they're intended for retrofit applications with no wiring)
All of us have good hearing and I have yet to come across battery change frequency from all manufacturers.

Hardwired units without battery backup don't come close to meeting basic safety standards any more btw - you may be able to buy them still, but horrible idea. If you have an electrical fault on the circuit or power goes out, no protection.
It's important to have both battery backup and interconnection, as well as comply with laws.
I just installed 3 hard-wired from Lowes with no-backup. All non-smokers and no power means no fire....99.9% of the time?

When replacing, I do strongly recommend incorporating some photo-electric or dual sensor alarms into the system as ionization ones go off far too late when the smoke is from a slow smoldering fire.
Am with you there, picking up a photo-e one for the basement.

JEDI Force wrote: ↑ Hardwired without batteries
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/kidde- ... 1000416667

Obviously, it won't work if the power is out.

Samwfive wrote: ↑ Exactly the same as the ones that I just replaced, HD only has 1 in stock...grrr. Had to settle from Lowes.

insertname2020 wrote: ↑ Kidde has had a lot of issues with their sealed battery alarms - false trips and batteries failing early. I would avoid them.

It's actually illegal to replace hard wired alarms installed to comply with building codes with battery operated.

The greatest benefit is the ability to interconnect with other alarms so if your alarm goes off in the basement you hear it loud upstairs.
Battery also needs to be changed less frequently than conventional 100% battery operated. (yes, you can buy wireless interconnect 100% battery operated alarms, but super expensive and they're intended for retrofit applications with no wiring)

Hardwired units without battery backup don't come close to meeting basic safety standards any more btw - you may be able to buy them still, but horrible idea. If you have an electrical fault on the circuit or power goes out, no protection.
It's important to have both battery backup and interconnection, as well as comply with laws.

When replacing, I do strongly recommend incorporating some photo-electric or dual sensor alarms into the system as ionization ones go off far too late when the smoke is from a slow smoldering fire.

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ On average, depending on a lot of things, I'd say they usually last 2-3 years.

You could just let them start beeping once and then you'll know how long yours last on average.

It should be noted that there is a 100% chance they will start beeping at some hour when you're fast asleep.

JEDI Force wrote: ↑ Hardwired without batteries
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/kidde- ... 1000416667

Obviously, it won't work if the power is out.

Samwfive wrote: ↑ Searched Lowes/HD for hardwired smoke alarms. Looks like all models have battery backup. Now, if I have to change the batteries every year....doesn't that defeat the purpose of having hardwiring? I might as well buy the 10yr lithium operated ones?

JEDI Force wrote: ↑ Hardwired without batteries
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/kidde- ... 1000416667

Obviously, it won't work if the power is out.

Jucius Maximus wrote: ↑ ...
My concern is some kind of fire / smoke event during a power outage.
When things go wrong, they REALLY go wrong.
.....

Samwfive wrote: ↑ Can you or anyone come up with any instances where smoldering smoke, spontaneous combustion occur when there is NO power? I am aware of cigarette smoking and rag fire...

I just couldn't think of one...

Jucius Maximus wrote: ↑ Gas ranges....
....

cartfan123 wrote: ↑ You might be referring to this expensive pile of garbage that is well known across the board as the false alarm king. And as one of few to meet code were put in many houses recently. We had these piles of junk false alarming in the middle of the night at an increasing rate.....scaring the crap out of my kids. Finally I’d had enough and ripped all of them out. Kidde to their credit were willing to replace with the same units (but they are still the same unit) so I took ones that are known to work (interconnected combo ones) without the built in strobe. And while may not be “code”...working alarms are better than disconnected alarms or ones going off falsely...

There’s simply something wrong with these units and they know it.