Troubleshooting Your Smoke Detector- Jermar Electric Service

There you are sitting in your favorite chair, watching your favorite TV show when out of nowhere you hear it. The chirp… chirp… chirp of your smoke detector. This could mean one of several things; your battery needs replacing or it could mean the sensor within it needs cleaning.

Whether you have a battery powered or electric with a battery backup, the chirping most commonly means your battery(s) needs to be replaced. To avoid this it is best to change the batteries in all your smoke detectors when you change your clocks. If you have an electric powered detector then change your batteries at the beginning of each New Year. Be sure to have new, fresh batteries on hand as well. 

Smoke Detectors have sensors which can get blocked by dust. So if the chirping continues even after replacing the batteries, they try vacuuming your detector. If you have battery powered, then open the cover and vacuum gently with a soft brush. However if you have an electric powered then you will need to turn the power off to all the smoke detectors. You can do this at your breaker box. Then vacuum the outside vents only. It is best to do this once a year. You can combine this with changing the batteries at the first of each New Year.

 

If your detector continues to chirp and you have replaced the batteries, and vacuumed it, then it may be that you need to replace the detector. Smoke detectors last between 7-10 years.  You can test your detector by pushing the test button. If it does not chirp and you have replaced the batteries and you have vacuumed it, they you may need a new detector. If you have battery powered detectors, then when you replace them consider having them electrically installed by a licensed electrician. You can have them interconnected so that when one goes off, they all do which provides added safety. In addition you do not need to replace the batteries as often.

So let’s test your knowledge of smoke detectors. Do you know where smoke detectors must be installed within your home? 

Jermar Electric Service is family owned & operated state certified electrical contractor since 1986 and provides residential and commercial electrical services in the Lee County areas of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island and Bonita Springs.