Smoke detectors are an essential warning system that have saved countless lives. They should be routinely tested, and the battery replaced at least once a year. But if they are not properly installed, they can be, in a word, annoying to deal with. All too often as people try to sleep, the endless, periodic chirp grates on everyone nerves, and it is nearly impossible to get a good nights rest. Today, we at Burley Electrical Service, Inc would like to share why the smoke detector is chirping in your South Florida home.
Why Do Smoke Alarms Go Off at Night
Your peaceful sleep being interrupted by the piercing chirp of one of your smoke detectors is something that seems to happen to everyone at least once. The alert couldn’t come at a worse time, though it is comforting to know the smoke alarm is operating. There is however, a practical cause as to why the smoke detector is chirping and the source is the smoke detector’s battery or if hard wired; the back up battery.
Basics of the Smoke Detector Battery
Most likely the smoke detector battery is an alkaline battery. This dynamic produces electrical energy through a chemical reaction between zinc metal and manganese dioxide. The process can be affected by temperature, like most chemical reactions. Batteries stored at room temperature will self-discharge, lose a little less than 2% of their power per year, even if they are not placed into a device and providing a circuit with electricity. This number can jump to 5% at 85°F and 25% at 100°F. If you live in a warmer climate, such as Florida, it is recommended that you store alkaline batteries in your freezer. Keep in mind, once they are installed and supplying electricity to devices, temperature affects batteries. A battery that’s been exposed to cold temperatures will have a weaker voltage output where a battery at room temperature will discharge optimally. A good guideline is that colder temperatures are good for storage and bad for performance, while warmer temperatures are bad for storage and good for performance.
Can Cold Air Trigger Smoke Alarm and/or Heat Set Off Smoke Detectors?
Understanding the science of the battery helps better understand the chirping noises at night. The temperature gap between the two depends on factors like your geographical location and the time of year as well as generally, night time air is cooler than they day time. When the temperature drops enough, the battery is losing the charge and a slight drop in voltage is just enough that the alarm will alert you the battery is getting low. Typically, the chirping sound is nothing more than the smoke detector letting you know that there is a low battery and more often than not, it is due to the temperatures in your home.
Home Life Safety Services, Electrical Wiring & More in Imperial Point, Pompano Beach, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Lighthouse Point, Parkland, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida
Burley Electrical Services, Inc. offers a number of services for your home life safety services. From hard wiring smoke alarms, to fire alarms, as well as carbon dioxide detectors and other such systems and system upgrades, you can be safe in your home from a plethora of hazardous circumstances. Call us to discuss your options and we will get what you need installed efficiently and affordably.
