Customer Reviews for Kidde Firex Hardwired Smoke Detector with Photoelectric Sensor and 9-Volt Battery Backup

The smoke alarm has a photoelectric sensor that reduces nuisance alarms. I would say that feature works. Every time we cook, I put it above where the cooking is happening, and it doesn’t go off. However, when I use smoke spray, it does go off, meaning it can detect when there’s a real fire, or a fake one! One sidenote, it does not have the smart hush unlike the I12040

I installed four of these Kidde hardwired photoelectric units to replace older ionization type detectors that were beginning to trigger sporadically, even after thorough cleaning. When purchasing the Kidde units, the manufacturing dates were all selected to be within the last 60 days prior to date of purchase. Approximately 9 months after installation, one of the units began to chirp at 3:00 AM. When the unit was removed for inspection and battery check, it was found that the original Kidde battery was dead. I was shocked and disgusted to find that the battery was an extremely cheap, imported, low-quality and short-lived carbon-zinc type, not a high quality long-life alkaline type. This was particularly galling because the detector was installed high up on an upstairs vaulted ceiling and required bringing up a tall ladder to disconnect it. I'm very, very disappointed (and disgusted) that Kidde would ship a critical safety product like this with such a low-quality battery to save a few pennies. All other name brand smoke detector manufacturers supply their products with high-quality, long-life alkaline batteries. This experience will cause me to be very cautious about ever purchasing Kidde products in the future.

Ease of installation- anyone can do it

For the last few years I have only used firex. they are easy to install and I have used them to replace several that were about ten years old. Don't risk your family replace those old ones.

I bought my house three years ago, and have had weird malfunctions from the smoke detectors beyond the false alarms from the shower, etc. I took one down, and the date code on my old smoke detectors was from 1995. Over 20 years past the 10 year useful life! Apparently original to the house. I bought two 2-packs and this single unit for a total of five detectors. I chose the photoelectric because they have fewer false alarms and do NOT have any radioactive material like the ionization units do. I had to use the enclosed wire harness because the detector was not compatible with the old unit, but it was super easy to do since the wires were pre-stripped and tinned. It was easy to just screw the wire nuts on and poke everything back into the gang box. The only quibble I have is that you have to punch out the holes you want to use in the brackets, and it was REALLY HARD! I'm sure it was supposed to be pretty easy, given that it was on just one of the brackets. The rest took a lot of effort, one of them significant. Apparently a stamping problem in the manufacture. Other than that, I recommend them.

I bought my house three years ago, and have had weird malfunctions from the smoke detectors beyond the false alarms from the shower, etc. I took one down, and the date code on my old smoke detectors was from 1995. Over 20 years past the 10 year useful life! Apparently original to the house. I bought two of these packs and a single one for a total of five detectors. I chose the photoelectric because they have fewer false alarms and do NOT have any radioactive material like the ionization units do. While pretty much all new smoke detectors come with a new wire harness, I like that these came with adapters as well. Between the five units, I used the adapters on two of them that were up high on my vaulted ceiling and required a bit of a reach. The faster and easier the installation, the safer it was for me to do. I changed the wire harness on the others because new wire is a good thing. :) I was grateful for the option. The only quibble I have is that you have to punch out the holes you want to use in the brackets, and it was REALLY HARD! I'm sure it was supposed to be pretty easy, given that it was on just one of the brackets. The rest took a lot of effort, one of them significant. The box also says they include mounting hardware. No they do not. No screws are included. Other than that, I recommend them.

I had someone install these for me and it seemed very simple and basic. Because I upgraded my home I needed to have hard wire smoke detectors to meet the city code.

Purchased one to replace one installed 2 years ago. They work!! Life span is short, but if you can catch them on sale, they are worth it!!!

Easy to install, as they fit the existing base and electrical pigtail from my old detectors. They have been operative for a few weeks now, and so far no false alarms.

I bought an exact copy of what was removed

Switched from ionizing type to this photoelectric type of detector. Ionization type kept going off whenever any cooking was happening in the kitchen. This one solved the issue and no more super sensitive nuisance alarms.

Very simple to remove and replace older unit with this one.

Purchased several of these to replace old ones. Everything was great for about 2 months then the one located in my kid's room went off at 4am and again 2 hours later. It seems the humidifier (that I had been running nightly since they were installed) all of a sudden was initiating the alarm. Went one night no issues, but then again the following night it initiated the alarm after 3 hours. Not sure if I should be happy it is so sensitive or try to find a replacement for their room.

Good product, warranty and customer care at Kidde.

These new style smoke detectors were used to replace my old, outdated smoke detectors. The swaps between the old to the new ones was very easy to accomplish.

Unit was installed & works excellent

Product looks nice replacing old smoke defectors same brand. Liked that the battery removal was in front. Easy install by Electrican referred by HD and priced right. Install of (5) took him about an hour with 8 ft ceilings.

Installation on 10-ft ceilings is not easy, and could be simplified if screws with correctly sized heads were included with the product. The alarm seems to operate correctly. Only time will tell as to its longevity and reliability.

We bought three of these eleven years ago, and the first of those three just bit the dust, and we bought another three so we'll be ready for that middle of the night chirp on the remaining two. They last, they work, and we'd buy them again.