Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

In March 2014 I replaced my 10-year old Kidde units (PI 2000 and KN-COSM-IB) with the newer versions (PI 2010 & KN-COPE-I AC respectively) - as suggested by Kidde support when questioned about appropriate replacements. I had no issues at all with the old ones in ten years, but about 4 months after installation at least one of the new KN-COPE-I AC models has become a nightmare - with 3-8 false alarms per day starting suddenly about a week ago - in late June 2014. No smoking, no cooking, no other potential red herrings- just completely unjustified false alarms at all hours of the day and night. I get up, go downstairs punch the alarm mute after verifying conditions, go to the basement and check there - nothing, then go back up two flights of stairs to bed. It has even occurred with the windows open and a stiff cross breeze in the room with the alarm. I called support, which was reminiscent of Microsoft support for Windows 95. "Brando" said it was most likely caused by one of two things - a power surge or bugs/dirt in the alarm. He admitted that this model was extremely sensitive to power surges. (Giant red flag!) He refused to do anything else until I ran down a can of air and blew out the alarm. I could see it was clean, it was only four months old and was in a clean, non-smoking environment. Brandon would have none of it. He was definitely going to be the man in charge and said false alarms could be caused by dirt left inside the unit at the (Chinese) factory, so I blew it out. Then he said to remount it, but leave the power disconnected for a few days. If the false alarms still occur, the unit is defective, you can call back and (supposedly) they will replace it - and you can repeat this process every few months until the warrantee (7 year limited) expires. However, if the false alarms stop when AC is disconnected, then you simply have power surges and it is not their problem. Reality - it IS their problem, whether the unit "went defective" or is defective by design and not able to withstand real world AC power. None of the 35+ false alarms in the last week have been accompanied by any other manifestations of power issues - clocks resetting, TV or computer glitches, etc. I am retired and am home most of the time - I would notice any significant power glitches and have noticed very short light dimming and such symptoms in the past from power fluctuations - but none associated with any of these false alarms. Our power is no more nor less stable than it has been at any other time over the last ten years when the old alarms worked without problem. So, you can either: 1) Buy Kidde, experience repeated false alarms and either: a. Jump through support hoops to get them replaced every few months or b. Discover you have a "power issue" and need to replace them with another brand at your own expense or 2) Buy another brand to begin with and avoid the entire circus PS: After being repeatedly talked down to and rather bullied by "Brandon", I mentioned that I had spent four years teaching university physics and had some familiarity with electricity - probably more than he. His replay was "Oh yeah? Well, you don't know me or what I know." If you like dealing with this kind of attitude, you'll love dealing with Kidde support.