The chirping sound from your smoke detector can be annoying and noisy if you don’t replace your smoke detector battery in time. This article will guide you through how you can replace smoke detector battery conveniently all by yourself in your home.
Once your battery is low and weak, your smoke detector alerts you with the chirping sound that can be continuous especially when the battery remains unchanged and it gets weaker.
The smoke detector has a way of saying of telling you that its battery is low and is due for a change. Then, it’s time to swap those dying batteries with fully charged ones.
At times, smoke detector users take the dying batteries out, thinking this will stop the low-battery chirping noise. Although, this action stops the noise they then forget to replace smoke detector battery with new ones later! This makes the smoke detector non-functional which is very risky in case there’s a fire outbreak in the home.
You can keep your loved ones and yourself safe by learning how to replace smoke detector battery and test that it is fully functional afterward.
What is the Smoke Detector Life Span?
Most smoke detectors last for about 7 to 10 years. At that point, they need a quick replacement. Depending on the manufacturer, your unit may beep up to five times in rapid succession, pause for a while and repeat the process.
When this happens, you can switch:
- Switch off the power
- Disconnect the smoke detector and replace it with the new detector before restoring the power.
- Never forget to pull out the battery tab or the unit will beep till the backup battery is properly installed.
- Also, ensure the cover or battery tray is firmly closed or the unit may keep beeping.
A smoke detector is a life-saving device that can protect your family’s lives and properties. It’s an important device every home should install, but note that it won’t work without an adequate power supply. Which makes it very essential to make sure the device has a healthy battery at all times.
Signs You Need to Replace Smoke Detector Battery
Installing smoke detectors will help keep you and your family safe. It is best to be proactive and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors you begin hearing the chirping noise.
Once you see these signs, just know it’s time to replace smoke detector battery immediately:
- A high-pitched chirping noise coming from your smoke detector.
- Once you change the batteries in one smoke detector, ensure you replace the batteries in other alarms in your home as well.
- Always remember to check your smoke detector and replace the batteries every six months, making it twice a year
- Check and test your smoke and fire detectors once you change the batteries.
How to Replace Smoke Detector Battery
Below are a few quick steps to properly replace smoke detector battery, follow the steps below:
- Switch off power to the circuit that your smoke detector is connected to (in case you have a hardwired detector). Always remember safety first! Whenever dabbling with electronics, it’s best to disconnect all electricity from the source.
- Remove your smoke detector’s plastic covering/face. Some detectors simply twist open while others pop off, while few still require a screwdriver to remove the hardware. It all depends on the model and type of your smoke detector.
- Remove the old battery. After you have opened the smoke detector, you will see all the alarm’s internal parts, from its sensing chamber and horn. All you need to worry about is the battery. For most detectors, the battery is a large, rectangular 9-volt battery and quite difficult to miss. Remove the weak and dying battery and set it aside to properly dispose of it off.
- Add the newly charged battery. Make sure the male and female (+ and -) terminals are properly positioned and pushed snuggly into its chamber. A rectangular 9-volt battery is usually recommended.
- Lock/Close the cover back into place. Sounds easy, right? Don’t forget to turn your breaker back on in case you flicked it off. Replace the body and snap the cover shut by locking the smoke detector’s body back into its base.
- Test the detector. Press the test button on the surface of the smoke detector to ensure the battery is working properly and efficiently. Once this has been done, the detector should beep or chirp.
That’s it?! Now you have been able to replace smoke detector battery in just a few short minutes. 
How to Stop a Smoke Alarm from Chirping without Changing Battery
If you are tired of hearing the chirping sound from your smoke detector and you want to stop it without changing the battery? Then, simply follow the steps below:
- Switch off the power to the smoke alarm at the circuit breaker.
- Remove the smoke detector from the mounting bracket and disconnect the power.
- Remove the battery.
- Long-press on the test button for at least 15 seconds. The unit may chirp or beep for a few seconds before going silent.
- Connect the power again and reinstall the battery. The unit will chirp once the power has been restored and should not chirp afterward.
Following the steps above will stop the smoke detector from chirping without changing the battery.
However, in case the chirping doesn’t stop, you must manually clear the processor. Switch off the power at the main breaker box before disconnecting the smoke detector from the wiring harness. Remove the battery and tap the reset button for about 15 to 20 seconds. Install the battery and the smoke detector again before turning on the power again.
Why Does My Smoke Detector Battery Keeps Dying?
Many factors could cause your smoke detector battery to go off repeatedly or drain excessively. These factors include:
Power Supply Failure
An unstable power supply may constantly lead to smoke detectors’ disconnection, especially if it’s the hard-wired type. Smoke detectors need a constant and reliable power source, either from the battery or direct electricity.
Installation Error
An error during the installation process may also alter the battery’s functionalities and may cause it to disconnect from the smoke detector, thereby stopping its function.
Absence of AC Power
With a tripped circuit breaker, the smoke alarm will run solely off the battery. The alarm will run off the battery for about 25 days before it will need a replacement.
In case your smoke detector does not indicate that AC power is present, ensure to check the circuit breaker and/or have a professional electrician check the circuit to fix the issue.
How to Test a Smoke Detector After Battery Replacement
After you replace smoke detector battery, you still have one more important step to follow, which is testing that the new battery works. The steps involved are quite super easy!
Follow the steps below:
- Once you have placed the smoke detector’s cover/face back on, simply tap the “test” button (In case you are having trouble locating it, refer to your manufacturer’s manual for its location).
- If you do not hear any sound even after pressing the test button, it means there is a problem with the battery or your smoke detector itself.
- Try and use a different battery and tap the “test” again. In case it’s still not making any alarming noise, it might be time to replace the whole smoke detector unit itself.
- The majority of fire alarm units have a life expectancy of about 10 years. Can you remember the last time you had yours replaced? Then, you might need to replace smoke detector battery immediately.
- To turn off the loud alarm, simply click on “test” again.
Now you can rest assured that your smoke detector is fully functional and you don’t have to endure that annoying low-battery chirping sound!
We hope this article has answered all your questions regarding how you can replace smoke detector battery and test the batteries to be sure they are functional.