Jordan O'BrienNest Protect hasn’t seen much of an update since it first launched in 2013, but yesterday that all changed, with the company revealing the second generation Nest Protect.
Of all the announcements at its San Francisco event, Nest Protect was heavily focused on, with the company promising that it’s safer than ever.
For the first time ever in a residential smoke alarm, Nest is utilising commercial-level technology, promising better fire detection than ever before.
The new split-spectrum sensor is located inside the smoke chamber and uses two wavelengths of light to detect both fast and slow burning fires. This sensor is also said to be more accurate, so if a user burns their toast or has a long, steamy shower, the alarm shouldn’t activate.
In the UK 38% of deaths in home fires occur where there is no smoke detector at all, while one fifth of deaths occurred when a smoke alarm was present, but non-functioning.
Nest is also ensuring that its smoke alarm works for longer, promising a 10-year product lifetime, as opposed to the first generation which lasted just seven years.
It’s not just about its product lifetime either, the smoke alarm also continuously checks itself, performing over 400 tasks a day to ensure it’s in tip top condition.
The second generation Nest Protect also performs a sound check once per month, which tests both the speaker and the horn using the built-in microphone.
While those features are all designed to save lives, Nest is also hoping to make lives easier in a few key ways.
Firstly there’s a new design to make the Nest Protect less obtrusive. It’s 11% smaller and sits more flush against the ceiling or wall. There’s also a stainless steel screen with tiny hexagonal holes designed to let in smoke for assessment while keeping everything else out – including bugs and dust.
Life is also easier for users who want to manually test the Nest Protect, with a button now on the App to do so.
There’s also a way to silence the Nest Protect in the case of a false alarm. First the App will notify users that the alarm is sounding. It will then give them the option to silence the alarm there and then, or if they own a Nest Cam, to view the room in question to ensure nothing is awry. Once satisfied all users need do is hold the silence button and the alarm will stop sounding.
For installers the most important reveal will be the fact that Nest Protect is now easier to install than its predecessor.
A redesigned backplate helps get Nest Protect level when placing it on the ceiling or wall, while an easy-to-open battery door will make battery placement easier than before.
Setting up the Nest Protect can also be done with Bluetooth Low Energy with an iOS or Android smartphone.
In the US, Nest has partnered with home insurance companies to reward its customers for owning a Nest Protect. American Family and Liberty Mutual will offer up to a 5% discount on insurance policies just for owning a functioning Nest Protect – although the deal has not yet been announced for the UK.
The second generation Nest Protect is available from today for £89, but will not begin shipping until next month.