+26 votes
by (1.6k points)
What would be the value add to getting Smart Smoke Detectors. My current dumb smoke detectors are due for replacement. Is there a reason to spend extra money on smart ones?  
What would be the value add to getting Smart Smoke Detectors.

22 Answers

+20 votes
by (15k points)
 
Best answer
Well if there's a fire at your house while you're not home.  
+26 votes
by (4k points)
Integration into automations if that is your thing.  
by (1.6k points)
@likelihood well, right, but how does that make our lives better. Seems like having a smart fork or something. I don't know what the point is, but maybe I'm overlooking something.  
by (4k points)
@duckbill smoke detector gets tripped, flash lights red. sound house alarm, unlock doors for easy exit, sound alert through Alexa. I mean, none of this is really necessary but it sure is fun lol
by (450 points)
In addition to the above, if you have a smart AC, I would recommend turning off the AC upon smoke detection as most systems recirculate air throughout the house. The last thing you want to do is circulate the smoke within your house.  
+23 votes
by (6.6k points)
Of you have interlinked detectors, you can get a relay, and hook it up to a door switch, and with a custom device handler they will become “smart” I like my interconnected ones, if one goes off they all go off.  
by (5.9k points)
Would you happen to know what DH you’re using?  
+14 votes
by (470 points)
I have mine set to turn all the lights on if the alarm goes off. I’m a heavy sleeper so it may help wake me up.  
+13 votes
by (470 points)
When the battery starts to go at 3 am, you can immediately spot the one to sleepily work on. Also, routines. if my alarms go off, all lights in the house turn on.  
by (1.6k points)
@lutist that's the best reason so far
+3 votes
by (300 points)
My reason for adding a smart detector was for awareness when not at home. Also, if they would alert while home, I’ve linked them to my house lights and Sirens. Look at First Alert ZCombo, smoke / CO2 detectors. I’d been with Smartthings for about 2 years with 1 of these detectors. Then similar to you, my dumb detectors were aging out. I added 1 more ZCombo and then added 3 more. Watch for Costco to have them on sale. I bought my last 3 there for about $80.  
+22 votes
by (920 points)
I have all of ours to turn on lights and make my phone go nuts. Also, if anything happens while were away i get a notification. It also sounds a siren so my neighbors are notified.  
+24 votes
by (1.7k points)
I have mine set to text me if there's a fire when I'm not home.  
+20 votes
by (14.6k points)
If your current detectors are hardwired interconnected ones then just replace those. They are more reliable. And a lot less expensive. To make them smart add an Ecolink Firefighter which is a listening device mounted next to one of the detectors. You can create automation using the Firefighter as the trigger. Unlock doors , open garage doors , flash lights , trigger other sirens , have Noonlight notify fire and police , Alexa announce exit instructions including the designated meeting spot, turn off HVAC, turn on sprinklers .  
+25 votes
by (2.2k points)
Turn the air conditioners off to stop the spread of fire, turn the tv/stereo and any noise off so you can communicate with family members clearly, turn all lights on, open smart locks and garage door so you can escape, flash external lights to alert neighbors or emergency services, sound an external siren. The list goes on.  
by (2.2k points)
P. S. Google Nest Detect are garbage.  
by (14.6k points)
@eucharist Good examples !  
+11 votes
by (1.3k points)
One day my smoke alarm went off and my wife was shocked about my reaction. I was so thrilled that all my automations worked!  
+1 vote
by (1.6k points)
There is a 9v out on your dumb smokies when triggered. If you’re creative with the assistance of an appropriate relay, you could fashion your own to build into automations off of.  
+12 votes
by (600 points)
I have two regulars and two fibaro. With the amount of tech a modern house has I want to know if there is a fire when out or away. I have a third in the garage.  
+19 votes
by (610 points)
If you have the smartthings ADT panel the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors if tripped call the fire department. In case that you don't wake up on your own. That all being said you have to buy the ADT smoke detectors for that to be possible.  
+6 votes
by (1.3k points)
Here's my reason: I'm deaf in my left ear. I sleep on my right side which means my right ear is on a memory foam pillow. I know from experience that if the bedroom smoke alarm goes off I won't hear it if I'm sleeping on my right side. My wife woke me up a few months ago when the alarm went off. It was a false positive so no harm done. My alarm clock has a vibrator that goes under the mattress. I can't hear the alarm clock either but the vibration wakes me up. So, that inspired me. I got a smart smoke alarm, a smart plug, and a vibrating unit from an alarm clock and set it up in SmartThings so that if the smoke alarm is triggered it turns on the smart switch that powers on the under-the-mattress vibrator.  
+13 votes
by (1.3k points)
Remote monitoring of Vacation home, which is unoccupied for extended periods.  
+19 votes
by (880 points)
Lots of great ideas in here, but just wanted to add that SmartThings will allow you to set off different routines/alerts based on whether you are Home/Away/Sleeping. For example, I wouldn’t trigger an external siren if I’m home. No need to annoy the neighbours because I burnt some toast!  
+17 votes
by (1.1k points)
Love my nest ones, battery powered/hardwired and even the battery powered ones interlink. They test themselves automatically and include smoke & co detectors. Also text notifications if smoke etc
by (14.6k points)
@fargone Nest doesn’t work with SmartThings.  
by (1.1k points)
Didn't read the comments sorry
+24 votes
by (470 points)
I've had my 10 gen 2 Nest Protects for 3 years without any issues. No false alarms for smoke. One warning for CO when the wife ran to car too long with the garage door open and the wind blew all the exhaust gases into the garage. I think they are worth the money. I have yet to see a test report that proved they were less than reliable.  
+15 votes
by (1.1k points)
I think I'll test Alexa Guard today. It'll be the perfect answer. I have Kidde Connected fire/CO2 detectors. Wouldn't need Samsung if Alexa Guard works.  
by (14.6k points)
@whaley0 You’ll find that Guard is iffy when it comes to smoke and CO2 alerts. Additionally Guard is not always armed. The Ecolink Firefighter is $37USD and can be used in SmartThings automation including notifying the fire department via Noonlight. Use both
by (1.1k points)
@lixivium3 Thanks!  
by (14.6k points)
A pic of an Ecolink Firefighter for my interconnected hardwired smoke detectors. I added a First Alert ZCombo to the garage The Firefighter needs to be within six inches of one of the detectors. Since they are interconnected I only need one Firefighter
+22 votes
by (1.1k points)
Ehhh mainly if your not home, you'd still know and be able to call 911 I have mine turn all lights on and adjust the dimmers to 100%, all fans off, unlock all doors, turn off/disable alarm, turn off HVAC, close the main valve on the natural gas line, send me a text (Smart) C02 sensors, should be on your to-do list as well  
by (14.6k points)
@backstroke8943 if you add Noonlight to ST, 911 will be called through automation.  
by (1.1k points)
@lixivium3 never heard of this before. Do you use it?  
by (14.6k points)
@backstroke8943 Yes I’ve been a Noonlight subscriber since the initial launch. Not only is it an alarm monitoring service, it travels with you on your phone should you find yourself needing help. I have WebCoRE piston that is triggered by a virtual switch either by Alexa voice command or in the ST app that notifies Noonlight, unlocks doors, opens garage door, flashes outdoor lights and sounds sirens should I need 911 at home. Works well with Smart Home Monitor  
https://www.noonlight.com
+8 votes
by (11k points)
Lots of good examples already, I'll add some too; Turn off air conditioning, turn off furnace, unlock doors, turn lights on, set off various sirens in addition to the smoke alarm, notify you which detector(s) have detected smoke or CO, change driveway light to Red and Flash it for fire department to easily find, if CO alarm turn on whole house fan, change certain inside lights red to alert to get the heck out, triggers cameras to take stills or video so you can verify the issue or just see what's going on, etc etc etc.  
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