I have two of your Ionization smoke alarms in my house (Model 0915). I’ve had these alarms for three years and have had to change each of their batteries three times. I also have three FireX direct wire alarms (Model 4480). These alarms were put in by my contractor who built a room addition on to our house three years ago. I have changed the backup batteries in the FireX alarms three times as well.

I regularly change the batteries in my smoke detectors the day daylight savings time ends in November, however the batteries in my Kidde alarms always seem to run out a few weeks before (usually in the extremely unreasonable hours of the morning). I understand the power drain on these two alarms is probably very different—one model being direct wire and all, and only using its battery for backup.

My biggest issue is with the duration and frequency of the low battery chirp. It’s too short, too irregular, and too high a frequency to determine which alarm is failing. The chirps are so short and high pitched that I can’t tell the alarm in my room from the one in my daughters room across the house. I suspect the frequency of this chirp also contributes to us only hearing it at night when everyone is home and the house is otherwise silent.

It’s a total drag staring up at the ceiling at 3:30 AM for 10 to 30 minutes trying to determine which alarm is failing. Both the Kidde and FireX alarms have very similar chirps, so I have to trouble shoot six alarms.

If I plan enough ahead, I could take this time to change the batteries in every alarm. However, it is much easier for me to schedule my battery purchasing and changing during the daytime hours, and around a regular annual event, such as the end of daylight savings time. I also think there is a great opportunity here for you to distinguish yourself with some creative solutions to this common smoke alarm problem—a problem that was addressed in an episode of NBC’s Friends YEARS ago.

I plan to replace all of my smoke alarms with direct wire units in the not too distant future. The FireX alarms I have are a lower end model, and their warrantee expires in two years. I do plan on checking out your new Silhouette alarm with rechargeable battery. This product seems to address many of my issues, however there is plenty of room for improvement for the sub-$20 alarm as well. People on a budget might also appreciate not loosing sleep over the fear of burning to death.

If you need some fresh ideas, I have a few.