CO2 Detector Issues

[debzaranti]

Hope I'm in the correct "category".

Is anybody besides us having issues with their CO2 detector "chirping" constantly? I know this is to alert you to change the battery...but how often??? We changed it when we set the clocks back (Nov.). It started chirping and hubby had to change the battery again the end of Dec. Two nights ago, it started again! We're going broke buying 9 volt batteries! LOL! Is anybody else having this issue? Any ideas as to what's going on? Thanks!

[pooh]

Are you sure it's the CO detector and not a smoke detector that's near by? How old is the CO detector and what's the expected life of the device? If I remember correctly, some of them have a working lifetime of about 5 years....others, not that long.

[Mikeod]

How old is the detector? I think they are supposed to last about 10 years, but we had the same problem you describe with my mom's house, about 6 years old. When we installed a new one, the problem disappeared.

[redwitch]

I was told smoke detectors are supposed to last about 10 years, but be prepared to replace them after 6 years. Carbon dioxide detectors last less. You can buy a new one at Ace's (the only hardware store that supplies the brand used by TV). Just take the old one out and take it with you so you're sure you get the right brand and prongs.

[buggyone]

It is a Carbon Monoxide detector (CO). Carbon Dioxide is CO2 and is not what you have a detector for.

I would suggest you buy a new Carbon Monoxide detector.

[buzzy]

Low voltage warning for backup battery?

[jimmemac]

ah a science person-thank god!

[redwitch]

Well, my facts were right but for my chemical analysis. Sorry.

[tommy steam]

Hope I'm in the correct "category".

Is anybody besides us having issues with their CO2 detector "chirping" constantly? I know this is to alert you to change the battery...but how often??? We changed it when we set the clocks back (Nov.). It started chirping and hubby had to change the battery again the end of Dec. Two nights ago, it started again! We're going broke buying 9 volt batteries! LOL! Is anybody else having this issue? Any ideas as to what's going on? Thanks!

I had one that did the same thing as yours after about 4 years. It went bad, bought a new one for 20 bucks at Lowes..

[zcaveman]

I installed a new CO2 alarm in 2010. In the warranty it says that the CO2 alarm is good for 5 years. When it reaches its 5 years it produces an end of life alarm. This is a series or 5 chirps every minute. It then says to not replace the battery but to replace the unit.

I also replace the smoke alarms. The warranty says that they are good for 10 years.

[graciegirl]

We just recently moved into our new house and had a similar issue. We thought it was one of the detectors chirping but what it was was our phone that was plugged into the receptacle under the bed that had both of our bedside lights and our phone plugged into the outlet that was attached to the switch that turned on our bedroom lights. Everytime that we turned on the lights something chirped. It was the phone starting to recharge itself..again.

I called warrenty and they plugged it in correctly.

:ohdear:

I know.

[golf2140]

If it's less then five years old and is made by First Alert, call them and they will replace it.

[rubicon]

Its the carbon v smoke detector. the carbon lasts about 5 years and the smoke 6-10. I had to replace the carbon and have replaced three smoke and will replace three more just for safety sake.

[pauld315]

Interesting..all the smoke detectors here in my house in NC are connected to the regular electricity in the house with battery backup. I thought that was standard in new homes everyplace. Maybe it is just building code in this area.

[rirlam]

Recently three of our neighbors have had the smoke and or CO detector alarms start chirping. The chirping pattern is suppose to provide a clue to assessing the problem - assuming you can find the right manual when needed. You could probably find the manuals on line if you can't find the printed ones that came with the house. One neighbor had the fire department check her system(s) for problems. Then the fire department replaced all the batteries for her as she had batteries but no ladder.

[Mikeod]

Interesting..all the smoke detectors here in my house in NC are connected to the regular electricity in the house with battery backup. I thought that was standard in new homes everyplace. Maybe it is just building code in this area.

All the ones in our home in TV are hard wired as well. The batteries are backup only.

[debzaranti]

Thanks to everybody for your input.

Our home was built in April 2007, so our CO detector (and a huge DUH from me with a red face....thank you for straightening me up on the chemistry I've forgotten....lack of sleep from the nighttime chirping..LOL!) is almost 5 years old. Perhaps it is at the end of it's life.

It's definitely the CO detector and not the smoke detectors...they have a different sound.

We noticed all the detectors are hard-wired, guess the low battery chirp is an additional safety precaution, ensuring you always have a fresh battery, in case you have a dangerous condition during a power outage.

Someone else (not on TOTV) told me the CO detectors require some kind of "special" 9 volt battery, but she wasn't sure what kind of special. Anyone out there ever hear of this?

[debzaranti]

We just recently moved into our new house and had a similar issue. We thought it was one of the detectors chirping but what it was was our phone that was plugged into the receptacle under the bed that had both of our bedside lights and our phone plugged into the outlet that was attached to the switch that turned on our bedroom lights. Everytime that we turned on the lights something chirped. It was the phone starting to recharge itself..again.

I called warrenty and they plugged it in correctly.

:ohdear:

I know.

Gracie, you crack me up!!!! LOL!

[Robhall]

My CO and smoke detector also chirped and after the battery was replaced about two weeks later it started again. There is a green LED signifying if there is AC power. Mine was out. I checked the power connection and had the proper voltage. Therefore my conclusion was a defective circuit board. I called First Alert and gave them the info off the detector and they sent me a new one free of charge. (Mine was 1 year old)

Ken Hall

[redwitch]

Someone else (not on TOTV) told me the CO detectors require some kind of "special" 9 volt battery, but she wasn't sure what kind of special. Anyone out there ever hear of this?

It's not a "special" 9-volt, but you can't use a cheap one. The manufacturers recommend EverReady but Duracell is fine, too.

[Mikeod]

It's not a "special" 9-volt, but you can't use a cheap one. The manufacturers recommend EverReady but Duracell is fine, too..

Very true. My mom called me because her smoke detectors were all chirping and she had just had the batteries replaced. But she had them replaced with some inexpensive batteries from a discount store. Once they were replaced with eveready batteries, the chirping stopped.

[elevatorman]

I just got off the phone with First Alert. This is what I was told. You should replace CO detectors every 5 - 7 years. There is a list of signals on the back of the detector. 4 beeps and a pause --CO is detected. 3 beeps and a pause--smoke is detected. It also says there is a green LED on when it is connected to 110AC. They asked if the detector that was going off was near a shower or was there any sanding done recently in my home. They also asked if I had an attached garage and was the detector near the garage. I told the person that I was having 4 beeps and a pause. I then disconnected the unit that had the red LED blinking as the beeps sounded (one unit initiates all the others). I took the battery out replaced the battery and placed the unit outside, about 30 miniutes later it started to sound again. The person asked for Model #, an Issue # and a Date of Manufacture (all on the back of the unit). They are sending me a free new unit (mine was about 3 years old). I also asked if I needed it at all, my home is all electric. The answer, if you have an attached garage it is required.

FYI - It is very easy to remove the unit from the wall. 1/4 turn CCW and pull out. Then unplug the plug in the back. Another important thing to remember is that the fire dept will come and do it for you if you call and make an appt. They told a neighbor when he needed to change batteries they would rather residents call them then wait and call when they fall off the ladder.

[BogeyBoy]

We had an alarm that kept chirping. As mentioned earlier when one goes it sometimes initiates others. Once I followed the sequence to reset each and every detector the chirping stopped. (Even the ones that appeared to be okay.)

[skip0358]

A batch with 2009 dates were defective I had 2 my neighbor 3 and another neighbor 2 all were replced. We had to have FD come first to check the air then First Alert sent new ones.

[looneycat]

Thanks to everybody for your input.

Our home was built in April 2007, so our CO detector (and a huge DUH from me with a red face....thank you for straightening me up on the chemistry I've forgotten....lack of sleep from the nighttime chirping..LOL!) is almost 5 years old. Perhaps it is at the end of it's life.

It's definitely the CO detector and not the smoke detectors...they have a different sound.

We noticed all the detectors are hard-wired, guess the low battery chirp is an additional safety precaution, ensuring you always have a fresh battery, in case you have a dangerous condition during a power outage.

Someone else (not on TOTV) told me the CO detectors require some kind of "special" 9 volt battery, but she wasn't sure what kind of special. Anyone out there ever hear of this?

aside from all the good advice you've gotten here, have you checked that you do not have a CO situation? usually caused by exhaust from gas appliances etc., that should be your FIRST step.