Smoke Detectors Archives

What Would Make a Fire Alarm Beep at Night?

Posted on February 7, 2022 | by K Hopkins

There is nothing scarier than hearing your fire alarm go off in the middle of the night. You get worried that you left the fire on, or your kids forgot to put off the stove. You might eventually realize nothing that can start a fire is on, but the chirping sound persists.

The reason for this can range from you leaving on something that can trigger your fire alarm to other technical issues.

Why Does Your Fire Alarm Keep Making Sounds?

The following factors might be responsible for the chirping or whiny sounds your fire alarm makes at night:

Your smoke detector is old.
The simple reason your fire alarm is always beeping at odd hours of the day, especially at night, could be because it is old. An outdated alarm system will malfunction, meaning it needs to be replaced immediately.
Ideally, a good smoke alarm system should last for 10 years, but in between that time, it’s important to have it constantly checked by a professional electrician. When your fire alarm is nearing the end of its life, the chirping sound will increase, but you don’t have to wait for this sound before replacing your smoke detector.
The battery is weak.
Most smoke alarms use alkaline batteries, which are powered by a reaction between manganese dioxide and zinc metal. Temperature affects the emission of this energy connection, and so an alkaline battery is 2% less effective after the first year when stored at room temperature. At 85°F and 100°F, the alkaline battery loses 5% and 25% energy, respectively.
Even when you try to preserve their power by freezing them, colder temperatures will still affect alkaline batteries. A hot temperature drains the battery life faster, a cold temperature causes slow battery discharge, leading to a weaker voltage being transmitted into the smoke alarm.
To prevent further unnecessary beeping at night, always replace the batteries in your fire alarms, and test the alarms weekly to ensure they are working.
There’s a drop in the room’s temperature
The beeping sounds your alarm makes are to alert you to a fire or smoke outbreak, or low battery. Sometimes, a drop in room temperature can cause a false fire alarm or low battery alert. Between 2-6 am, most houses are cold, making the fire alarm chirp a low battery warning. When the temperature warms up a few degrees, the sounds will stop.
Also, when a battery is about to expire, the drop in power impacts the battery’s output. This causes the battery to enter low battery mode more often, lowering the effectiveness of the fire alarm system and making it chirp unnecessarily. There isn’t much you can do in this case, but to have your fire alarms checked constantly and replace their batteries regularly.

What To Do When Your Fire Alarm Constantly Beeps at Night?

Apart from the tips shared above, have a professional electrician near you to inspect your fire alarm system once in a few months just to be on the safe side.

The Electric Connection has professional electricians who carry out routine checks, repair, and replacement of fire alarms and smoke detectors.

What Would Make a Smoke Detector Beep at Night?

Posted on January 7, 2022 | by K Hopkins

There is nothing scarier than hearing your smoke detector go off in the middle of the night. You get worried that you left the fire on, or your kids forgot to put off the stove. You might eventually realize nothing that can start a fire is on, but the chirping sound persists.

The reason for this can range from you leaving on something that can trigger your smoke detector to other technical issues.

Why Does Your Smoke Detector Keep Making Sounds?

The following factors might be responsible for the chirping or whiny sounds your smoke detector makes at night:

Your smoke alarm is old.

The simple reason your smoke detector is always beeping at odd hours of the day, especially at night, could be because it is old. An outdated alarm system will malfunction, meaning it needs to be replaced immediately.

Ideally, a good smoke alarm system should last for 10 years, but in between that time, it’s important to have it constantly checked by a professional electrician. When your smoke detector is nearing the end of its life, the chirping sound will increase, but you don’t have to wait for this sound before replacing your smoke alarm.

The battery is weak.

Most smoke alarms use alkaline batteries, which are powered by a reaction between manganese dioxide and zinc metal. Temperature affects the emission of this energy connection, and so an alkaline battery is 2% less effective after the first year when stored at room temperature. At 85°F and 100°F, the alkaline battery loses 5% and 25% energy, respectively.

Even when you try to preserve their power by freezing them, colder temperatures will still affect alkaline batteries. A hot temperature drains the battery life faster, a cold temperature causes slow battery discharge, leading to a weaker voltage being transmitted into the smoke alarm.

To prevent further unnecessary beeping at night, always replace the batteries in your smoke detector, and test the alarms weekly to ensure they are working.

There’s a drop in the room’s temperature

The beeping sounds your alarm makes are to alert you to a fire or smoke outbreak, or low battery. Sometimes, a drop in room temperature can cause a false fire alarm or low battery alert. Between 2-6 am, most houses are cold, making the smoke detector chirp a low battery warning. When the temperature warms up a few degrees, the sounds will stop.

Also, when a battery is about to expire, the drop in power impacts the battery’s output. This causes the battery to enter low battery mode more often, lowering the effectiveness of the smoke detector system and making it chirp unnecessarily. There isn’t much you can do in this case, but to have your smoke detector checked constantly and replace their batteries regularly.

What To Do When Your Smoke Detector Constantly Beeps at Night?

Apart from the tips shared above, have a professional electrician near you to inspect your smoke detector system once in a few months just to be on the safe side.

The Electric Connection has professional electricians who carry out routine checks, repair, and replacement of smoke detectors.

More Protection with Hard-Wired Smoke Detectors say Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on November 20, 2016 | by Kim Hopkins

This is the time of year when home fires seem to be prevalent. The addition of heaters, burning in fireplaces or woodstoves and the additional holiday decorations can increase the risk of a fire in the home. It makes more sense than ever to give your home a little bump in the safety department by adding another layer of protection in case of a fire. A hard-wired smoke detector is an excellent option for those who are worried their battery-operated smoke detector won’t be working at a time that is most important. An electrician in Los Angeles, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you sleep a little better at night knowing your home has several functional smoke detectors.

Hard-wired smoke detectors respond the same as a typical detector, but instead of relying solely on batteries, they are wired directly into your home’s power. Another real benefit to the hard-wired detectors explains a Los Angeles electrician is the fact they are all connected. When one alerts they all alert. This means that no matter where the smoke is first detected in the house, the entire household and even in the garage will be alert to the potential fire. This can add minutes to your escape time or give you time to catch a small, manageable fire before it engulfs the entire home.

If you have a home security system, this is typically the type of smoke detector that is used. There are apps that allow you to connect the smoke detector to your smartphone to alert you something is wrong. All of these are things you can discuss with your electrician. Los Angeles homeowners who want to do a little more to ensure the safety of their home and the occupants can give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule a fire detector installation.

Smoke Detectors Save Lives says Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on November 22, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

When you hear something a lot, you tend to brush it off. Warnings about changing the batteries in your smoke detector are heard so often, it is easy to push the advice to the bottom of your to do list. When the smoke detector beeps incessantly, it is easier to pull the battery out with the idea you will put a new one in tomorrow. All of these seemingly innocent plans can actually be extremely dangerous. You never know when a fire will break out in your home and often times, it happens when the batteries are out of the smoke detectors. A good option for every home is to have hard-wired smoke detectors installed by a Los Angeles electrician like those at The Electric Connection.

Hard-wired smoke detectors remove the risk of a fire going undetected by a smoke detector without batteries. The smoke detectors are wired directly into the home’s main power by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners will take comfort in knowing that as long as the power is on, the smoke detectors are functioning. There is a place to batteries in the detectors to act as a backup system should there be a power outage. This ensures the home is always protected, even if somebody borrowed the battery out of the smoke alarm.

You should invest in at least one hard-wired smoke detector on each floor and in the garage of your home. Another benefit to having these devices installed by a Los Angeles electrician is the fact they are all interconnected. When one alarm is sounded, all of the detectors will go off. This means if there is smoke detected in the garage, you will know about it if you are upstairs in your room. These tools can save lives. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your smoke detector installation.

Quick Facts about Smoke Alarms by Glendale Electrician

Posted on June 21, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

You have probably become so used to smoke alarms you rarely even notice they are in a room. That means you don’t notice when they are not around either. Or if they are working properly or placed in an appropriate place. Smoke alarms are one of those things that we ignore until we burn toast and remember we have them. Then they become an annoyance and the batteries are popped out with the intention of replacing them once the smoke has cleared out. Unfortunately, because they are so easily forgotten, they are often not replaced. An electrician in Glendale, like those at The Electric Connection, has a few facts to tell you about smoke alarms. These facts remind us why those little white discs in the corner are so important.

1-Smoke alarms need to be replaced every ten years. Most people assume they are good forever.

2-30 percent of home fires are in homes that have expired smoke alarms or no smoke alarms at all.

3-It is imperative you test your smoke alarm every month. A Glendale electrician points out it takes less than a minute to complete this potentially life-saving task.

4-Batteries should be replaced in each smoke alarm every 6 months, regardless if they are working. Fresh batteries are best.

5-Opting to go with at least one hard-wired smoke alarm on each floor is a good option. These will be installed by an electrician. Glendale homeowners can rest assured they will always have protection whether the batteries are fresh or not.

6-Every bedroom in the house should have a smoke alarm. A smoke alarm should be on each floor as well. 66 percent of homes do not have the minimum number of smoke alarms recommended.

If you would like to add another layer of protection and have hard-wired smoke alarms installed, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your installation.

Hardwired Smoke Detectors a Bonus says Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on July 10, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

If you are tired of replacing the batteries in your smoke detector every few months, you need to learn more about hard-wired smoke detectors installed by an electrician in Santa Monica. Although we are often reminded to change those batteries every six months, things happen, life gets busy, and we forget. We forget until about 2 in the morning when the device chirps to let you know it needs a new battery. Wouldn’t it be nice to avoid all of that and still keep your home and family protected? The Electric Connection can help you add a layer of safety to your home by installing new hard-wired smoke detectors.

Hard-wired smoke detectors are not just more convenient. They are actually a little more reliable than the kinds that are solely battery powered. It isn’t often you lose power, which means your smoke detectors will always be functioning. If you do lose power, the battery back up in each detector will keep your home protected. Another benefit to this particular kind of smoke detector is the fact all the detectors in the home are interconnected. When the first sign of smoke sets off an alarm anywhere in the house, all of the detectors will start beeping.

This is extremely beneficial to the residents in the home. It adds several, precious seconds to call the fire department or escape the house. Because the detectors are wired directly into a home’s Santa Monica electrical system, you will need a licensed electrician to complete the job. This ensures your smoke detectors are being installed correctly and are not creating a hazard caused by faulty wiring. Your homeowner’s insurance may offer a discount for homes, especially two-story homes that have hard-wired smoke detectors installed. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your installation.

Smoke Detectors Hard-Wired into Your Santa Monica Electrical

Posted on January 11, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

Have you thought about what more you could do to keep your family safe at home? Maybe you already have a security system and you lock your doors and windows every night, but what about dangers within the home? Sometimes, accidents just happen and there is really nothing you can do to prevent them. Home fires can happen in new homes or old homes. While wiring inspections can typically identify some problems and prevent an electrical fire, there are plenty of other things that can go wrong that can cause a fire. Your best way to keep your family safe against these kinds of accidents is by being prepared with working smoke detectors. Your electrician in Santa Monica can help you add a layer of protection in your home. You can talk with one of the team at The Electric Connection to learn more or read on.

There are two different types of smoke detectors. You are probably most familiar with the cheap battery-powered detectors that can be placed anywhere you like in the house. The other option is detectors that are hard-wired into your home’s main Santa Monica electrical. These detectors do have battery backups in case of a power outage. The biggest, and probably the best difference between the two is the reliability of the hard-wired detectors. That and the hard-wired detectors are all interconnected. Meaning, when one alarm is sounded, each detector in the house will go off alerting the occupants to the fire.

This can add minutes to a family’s escape time, which is extremely valuable in a home fire. The extra minutes can also mean the difference between saving the home or losing it to the fire. The additional minutes will give the homeowner the chance to call emergency services before the fire is out of control and if it is small enough, be able to use an extinguisher to put it out before it spreads. Call The Electric Connection today and schedule your hard-wired smoke detector installation.

Hard-Wired Smoke Detectors Save Lives Explains Electrician in Beverly Hills

Posted on November 10, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

We all know smoke detectors save lives, but did you know you can make them even more effective by having an electrician install hard-wired smoke detectors? This particular kind of smoke detector works the same as the traditional battery-powered detectors that you typically find in homes. However, the major difference is the fact they are connected to a home’s main power supply. An electrician in Beverly Hills will need to take care of the installation process. At The Electric Connection, the staff is familiar with these kinds of jobs and can get them completed in a timely manner.

One of the key benefits is the fact the hard-wired detectors are all interconnected. When one detector is activated, the rest of the smoke detectors in the house will sound the alarm. This means no matter where you are in the house, as long as you have a hard-wired smoke detector on each floor, you will hear it. Fires that start in the attic, basement or garage can go undetected for minutes or longer because the smoke detector isn’t heard in other parts of the house. With detectors that are all linked together, you don’t have to worry about this. Even if you are downstairs watching television, you will still know when the smoke detector in the attic is going off.

This can save lives and potentially prevent excessive damage to the house by giving you a precious extra few minutes to call for help. Beverly Hills electrical systems like this require certified electricians to install. This ensures the smoke detectors are wired correctly and are not creating another fire risk. In some cases, homeowners insurance will require a certified electrician completes the install. If you would like to learn more about hard-wired smoke detectors and what they can do for you, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Hard-Wired Smoke Detectors Installed by Electrician Los Angeles Residents Trust

Posted on August 27, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

As you look around your home, you probably see a long list of little things you would like to do to make it better and safer. It is all a part of home ownership. It is exciting to take something that is very basic and mold it into something that is as much a part of your family as the dog or cat. It is only normal you would want to protect your home and the family that resides in it. The Electric Connection can help you do just that.

Homeowners can have hard-wired smoke detectors installed in their home by an electrician Los Angeles residents probably already know how important it is to have at least one smoke detector on every floor of the home, but there is a big difference between hard-wired and battery operated detectors.

The hard-wired varieties are interconnected. This means when the one in the kitchen goes off, the one in the master bedroom upstairs will also go off. Doesn’t that just make sense? It can be difficult to hear an alarm when doors are closed or the television is on. You need detectors that give you precious seconds to get your family out of the house quickly and safely.

Another benefit to this particular type of smoke-detector is the reliability. As long as the home is powered, the detectors will work. There are battery backups as well in case of a power outage. Because the devices are wired directly into your home’s main power, you will need somebody trained to work with electricity. Los Angeles electrical work can safely be performed by the experienced and professional staff at The Electric Connection.

If you would like to learn more about these devices or would like to schedule an appointment to have yours installed, give us a call today.

Be Safe, Electrician in Pasadena Recommends Hard-Wired Smoke Alarms

Posted on June 27, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

We do a lot to protect our families when they are at home. We lock the doors at night, make sure there are no safety hazards like broken stair rails or exposed pools. Have you ever thought about your smoke detectors? Sure you probably have a couple in your house, but have you checked the batteries? It can be hard to remember to replace the batteries every six months. Fortunately, there is an option your electrician in Pasadena can help you out with.

The professionals at The Electric Connection can explain why hard-wired smoke detectors are so important. This type of device is connected directly to your home’s power so you don’t have to worry about regular battery changes. Plus, you don’t have to worry about somebody “borrowing” the batteries and not replacing them right away.

When the smoke detectors are wired into the home, they are interconnected. Meaning, when the smoke detector in the kitchen goes off, the one in the upstairs bedroom and garage also goes off. In the event of a fire, this can give occupants in the home several extra minutes to get out. Every minute counts when there is a house fire. Your Pasadena electrician can install the detectors in any room you request.

Along with hard-wired smoke detectors, a carbon-monoxide detector is also a good idea. One in the garage and on every floor of the house is typically the standard. These are especially important if you burn any fuel within the home or leave cars running in a garage. Carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and colorless. It is crucial to your family’s safety to have one of these valuable devices installed.

Add another layer of protection for your family and give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule an appointment to have your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.