Combo Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors (32 items found)

When air quality becomes unsafe or a fire breaks out in your home, time is of the essence. The sooner you know about the problem, the sooner you and your loved ones can get to safety and call for help.

A combo smoke and carbon monoxide detector can warn you in emergency situations, so you can respond promptly. Ace Hardware can help you get the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family is protected with an assortment of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors available in stores and online.

What Are Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

A combo alert system functions as both a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide (CO) detector.

• Smoke Alarm: Smoke detectors produce noise when smoke is present in an area. Photoelectric models generate a beam of light and have a light sensor that trips when smoke particles reduce the amount of illumination sensed. Ionization smoke detectors sound when smoke electrically charges the air. Generally, photoelectric units are more economical, while ionization options may detect smoke more quickly.
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm: A carbon monoxide detector lets you know when levels of an odorless, tasteless gas called carbon monoxide build up in an area. The most sensitive and long-lasting option is the electrochemical detector, which sets off a chemical reaction to trigger an alarm when CO is present. Other types of carbon monoxide alarms include metal-oxide, biometric and optochemical. Depending on the model, these detectors may last from a few years to a decade before a replacement is needed.

What to Consider When Buying a CO and Smoke Alarm

In addition to comparing the types of technologies featured in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, consider the following special features and characteristics as you shop:

• Power source: Some detectors must be hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Others run on disposable or rechargeable batteries or plug into a standard wall outlet. Hardwired models eliminate the need to remember to change or charge batteries but may require professional installation. Most hardwired units have battery backup capability to ensure that they still work even during power outages.
• Digital displays: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with digital displays provide information about air quality and battery capacity on a backlit screen. Although they usually cost more than others, detectors with digital displays can help you keep better tabs on the performance of the alarm.
• Silence mode: Alarms with silence mode can be set to quiet to prevent false alarms. They can come in handy when you burn something in the oven or have another incident that accidentally sets off the detector.
• Alarm indicators: Units with indicators have a light or on-screen message that shows that a specific detector sensed carbon monoxide. In homes with multiple smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, this feature can help emergency responders pinpoint the source of carbon monoxide contamination more quickly.

Get Help Selecting the Right CO and Smoke Alarm

Shop Ace Hardware online to find smoke and carbon monoxide detectors from brands like BRK and First Alert. If you need help selecting fire safety products like a combo smoke carbon monoxide detector or a fire extinguisher, stop into your local store for advice and assistance.