Which batteries should I use, and are 10-year sealed alarms better?
If your alarm takes a battery, use the exact type the manufacturer calls for, and do not use an old battery you’ve had in your junk drawer. The bigger question most people are really asking is whether the "never change the battery" sealed alarms are worth it. Usually, yes. Here is why.
Match the battery your alarm needs
Replaceable-battery alarms generally use either a 9-volt or AA alkaline batteries. Most manufactures do not recommend installing lithium batteries in replaceable battery alarms. Check your manufacturer recommendations before doing so. Lithium batteries last far longer than standard alkaline, so they are worth the small extra cost. Batteries should be replaced on a regular schedule. We recommend tying the replacement schedule to a holiday or something easy to remember. Most manufacturers recommend changing them every 6 months, but we have found that if you use quality batteries, a one-year regular replacement schedule is sufficient to avoid the dreaded low-battery chirp. We recommend Duracell Copper Top or Energizer Max batteries. Stay away from cheap batteries because getting on a ladder in the middle of the night to stop a chirping alarm is no fun.
The sealed 10-year alarm
A sealed alarm has a lithium battery built in that lasts the entire 10-year life of the unit. You never open it, never shop for batteries, and never get the low chirp until the unit needs to be replaced. At the 10-year mark you replace the whole alarm anyway, which you should be doing regardless, so for most homes the sealed unit is simply less hassle for the same lifespan.
Want to stop thinking about batteries? We can set your home up with sealed 10-year alarms or replace the batteries for you.
