I need to change my smoke detectors but I don't know how to choose between ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms. I guess that there are pros and cons to choose one or the other. Should I buy a combination detector that uses both methods?
How to choose between ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms
smoke-detectors
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Best Answer
One consideration is where it's going to be installed.
The issue being that some places are more likely to have them go off when they shouldn't.
Ionizing can be affected by steam, so has problems if installed right outside a bathroom. They also don't work too well if mounted near moving air (forced air systems, ceiling fans, etc.)
Photoelectric are set off by lots of dust, so workshops, laundry rooms (lint) and the like are problem areas for them.
They both have problems in kitchens.
Where you can, you should use combination alarms, but you can also use a mix of types to achieve the same effect, while avoiding areas that might cause them to go off when they shouldn't.