‎What is the Simplisafe Carbon Monoxide Detector Life Span? | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
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Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 11:37 PM

What is the Simplisafe Carbon Monoxide Detector Life Span?

I have a carbon monoxide detector that is 7 years old. It is NOT a Simplisafe product. I was thinking of replacing it with the one that Simplisafe offers. I have some questions that need answers.

1. Most units have a replacement timeframe of 7 to 10 years. Some offer the option to replace the batteries and some have fixed lithium batteries. The recommendation is to replace the entire unit because the performance degrades over time.

2. The detector that Simplisafe sells does not indicate replacement other than the batteries. What is the lifespan of the Simplisafe unit? Other than the integration with the Simplisafe alarm system, why would I buy the Simplisafe unit if I need to replace it after 7 or 10 years anyway?

3. How do I know when to replace the batteries in the unit?

4. Would rechargeable AA  batteries work?

2.2K Messages

4 years ago

2) I can't imagine SS units are any more durable than any others.  If it were me, I'd go with 7 years unless I got some reliable indication that longer would be safe.  The advantage of the SS one is that if a CO event is detected and you can't answer the phone, the fire department will be dispatched.  Which may make all the difference if you are unconscious.

3) You may get a low battery warning (I just did for the smoke detector).  Or you may get a warning that the CO detector is malfunctioning or not responding.  

4) Maybe, maybe not.  Note that rechargeable AAs have a lower voltage than "regular AAs".  So they MAY not work right, or work right but trigger the low battery warning (often triggered by battery voltage) too soon.  They probably will have to be changed more often.  If you had to replace batteries every week, they would be worth investigating (actually, the CO detector would probably need investigation if that were the case).  If you get a couple of years out of regular batteries, then rechargeables don't seem to offer any real benefit.
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