You may be like most homeowners who don’t pay much attention to the smoke alarm battery. You installed your smoke detector and pressed the test key once. Then you forgot about it. It only reminded you to replace the battery a few months later.

The battery in your Smoke Detector is vital to the safety of your family and you. The smoke detector would be useless without the battery. Even a weak smoke detector battery can compromise its operation. Even smoke detectors wired to a home’s electric system have a backup battery: this means your home and family are protected even if the power goes out.

How often should you replace a smoke detector battery?

Replace your smoke detector’s battery as soon as it emits an alarm beep, chirp or other sound that indicates the battery is running low.

Most manufacturers also recommend replacing the battery once a year. Replace the battery twice per year with an evenly distributed interval. This will give you a greater margin of safety.

You can use the time change to remind you to replace the battery if you live in a place that observes daylight savings. Replace the battery twice within a year. Once when you switch to daylight savings time and once when you return to standard time.

Tips for Changing Most Smoke Detector Batteries

If you have been changing batteries your whole life, then you probably know how to do it. You may be confused by the strange ways in which smoke alarm batteries are installed.

Many of these configurations are designed to ensure that the system is fail-safe. It is important to make sure that batteries are installed correctly and that no smoke detectors have been left without them.

• If There is a Red Lever This lever’s name is the battery reminder finger. Press the finger down, then place the battery on the top. Replace the door.
• If There is a Ribbon : The ribbon must be draped over the battery compartment before the battery can be replaced. The battery can be easily removed when it is time to replace the battery. The ribbon should be tucked into the compartment. Replace the door.
• Front Loading Door: This door is located on the bottom of the detector (or the room side). It allows you to change the battery without having to remove the detector. Open the door with your fingernail, or a butter knife. Some doors need to be moved to one side before they can swing open.
• If There is a Side Door, Pry it open and extend the door to its fullest length. Match the (+) and (-) marks of the detector with the markings on the battery. Slide the door into place.

How to replace most smoke detector batteries

The battery replacement process for smoke detectors varies, but some features are common.

1. Most smoke detectors are mounted on the ceiling (though some may be high up on a wall).
2. Some smoke detectors have a door that can be opened from the front to change the battery. Turn the detector in a counterclockwise direction. The mounting plate should remain on the ceiling. Some smoke detectors have a feature that prevents children from removing them. With the locking pin, disengage.
3. The instructions on the smoke detector will tell you how to replace the battery.
4. The smoke detector should engage. The smoke detector will engage.
5. Test the smoke detector by pressing the button located on its face.

How to replace a smoke detector hardwired with a backup battery

This type of smoke alarm is powered by household current and comes with an onboard backup battery in case of power failure.

1. At the electrical panel of your home, shut off the power to the circuit that supplies the smoke detector. This is done by turning off the circuit breaker.
2. You can use a chair or ladder to reach the smoke detector.
3. Turn the smoke alarm counter-clockwise to remove it from the mounting base. The mounting bracket may be tamper resistant if the smoke detector will not disengage. Push the locking pin to the unit. In some units, you can also pull the pin out of the detector’s base.
4. The smoke detector is attached to a wiring harness. Do not try to remove it immediately. Locate the connector for the wire leading into the unit by tilting the smoke detector. Remove the wire connector from the smoke alarm or mounting base as applicable.
5. The battery is usually found on the side of or back of the smoke detector.
6. Fit the unit to the base, and then turn it clockwise so that the unit is engaged.
7. To restore power to the detector circuit, turn on the circuit breakers.
8. Test the smoke detector using the test button.