It is recommended you test your detectors at least once a month to ensure they are working properly. If your smoke alarms are powered by a nine-volt battery, the battery should be replaced every 6 months, while the alarm itself should be replaced once every 10 years.
On average, a 9V battery in a smoke detector will last between six months to a year, depending on several factors.
Testing and Changing Your Smoke Detector Batteries
It is recommended you test your alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working properly, and replace the batteries in your smoke alarm every six months. The detector itself should be replaced at least every ten years.
AA Batteries. 9V has been the battery of choice for smoke alarms for many years. However, nowadays, a more common smoke detector battery is two or three AA's.
The 9v battery🔋 is a common device that is used in many different types of devices. These batteries are designed to be rechargeable and should last between 6 and 12 months depending on how often they are used and for how long. After this time, the battery will lose its charge and power and should be replaced.
Lithium 9Vs aren't recommended for smoke detectors unless you follow a strict battery replacement schedule. Those batteries maintain a high voltage until the end of their usable life, so they provide a much shorter "low battery" warning to alert you that it's time to swap in a fresh one.
Every 10 years
Replace your smoke alarm. Some models last as little as 5 years. This includes battery operated and hard-wired alarms. All smoke alarms have an expiration date.
Lithium batteries (non-rechargeable): Lithium batteries typically last 10-15 years if stored correctly, with minimal self-discharge.
Clear Residual Charge to Stop the Chirp
Press and hold the test button for 15-30 seconds. This will fully reset the smoke alarm and drain any charge left inside.
Why did my fire alarm randomly go off in the middle of the night? This is likely due to one of the common causes like low battery, dirt buildup, humidity, or insects interfering with the sensor.
Will taking the battery out of a smoke alarm make it stop beeping? Taking the battery out of a smoke alarm will not make it stop beeping. Even after the battery has died, the detector maintains a residual charge that will keep the chirp going for at least seven days.
How Long Does A Smoke Alarm Chirp Before It Stops Working? If you have a battery-powered smoke alarm, it will chirp for about a month before the battery dies. But if it's a hard-wired alarm with both AC power and a backup battery, it will keep chirping until you replace the backup battery.
If your alarm is hardwired into your home's electrical system, replace the backup battery at least every 6 months and replace the smoke alarm itself once every 10 years.
Li-ion batteries have a nominal voltage of 3.6V and 3.7V. Rechargeable nine-volt batteries usually come in two options: these are NiMH and Lithium. Lithium batteries double the NiMH capacity. NiMH's 9V battery capacity last for about four hours with the rechargeable Lithium lasts for 7 to 7.5 hours.
A single beep about every 30 seconds to a minute can mean the battery is low, the sensors are dirty, or the unit needs to be replaced. Multiple beeps can indicate a malfunction, or if the unit can detect carbon monoxide (CO), high levels of the gas may be present.
Ultralife's Lithium 9-volt battery is a consumer-replaceable battery that lasts up to 5 times longer than ordinary alkaline 9V batteries and 10 times longer than carbon-zinc batteries.
To find the Best If Used By (BIUB) date of the batteries in question, please look on the uppermost section of the cells, near the battery type (AA, 9V, etc.). You will see a white box with the Best If Used By year printed within it.
Alarms with traditional (alkaline) batteries are fine. But those batteries must be changed at least once a year—and you may experience a “chirping” sound when the batteries are dying, which will require your immediate attention for safety. Instead, we recommend you get alarms that have long-life lithium ion batteries.
Can I install a hardwired smoke detector myself? While it is technically possible, it is not recommended. Working with your home's electrical system can be dangerous and complex, best left to a qualified electrician.
If your smoke detectors are yellowing, chirping non-stop, or going off unexpectedly, it's time to call in our electrical pros from Integrity Home Solutions. We can inspect and replace hardwired smoke detectors or install them if you don't have them in place already. Don't take a chance on your family's safety.
Disconnect each smoke alarm.
Repeat this for every unit. Many user manuals instruct you to first shut off the power before attempting to disconnect the plug powering a unit. This may help avoid the risk of shock if there is a problem with the connector or the high-voltage wiring.
9V has been the battery of choice for smoke alarms for many years. However, nowadays, it is more common to see two or three AA's in smoke detectors.
If the electricity in your home goes out, these alarms automatically switch to their secondary power source, the backup battery. The backup battery should power the alarm for a minimum of 7 days without electricity to keep your home protected. Modern hardwired alarms require a battery backup.