In the past, we've been schooled to change the batteries in our smoke detectors when the time shifts from daylight saving time to standard time in the fall and from standard time to daylight saving time in the spring. In the wee hours of tomorrow morning, daylight saving time returns, but you may not want to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. You may just want to buy new smoke detectors.
A new law in New York State, which takes effect on April 1, 2019, requires that all smoke detectors either be hard-wired or have sealed lithium batteries with a ten-year lifespan. The new smoke detectors must be installed in all rental properties and in private homes before they can be sold. Even if you're not planning to sell your house, you may want to upgrade your smoke detectors. Instead of changing the batteries twice a year, all you need to do with the new smoke detectors is test them once a year.
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Mara Estribou submitted this comment:
ReplyDeleteHard wired smoke / CO2 detectors require charged back up batteries (most are 9 volt batteries). Without charged batteries the hard wired detectors will chirp and eventually all the alarms in the house will sound in unison (usually at 3 am!). Hard wired detectors will not work if the power is out without batteries.
These batteries should be replaced at least once a year... I’m sure the fire dept would still recommend twice a year.