Hard wired smoke detectors?

Question

My hard wired smoke detectors go crazy if I open windows on really humid days. Has this ever happened to anyone else. do they need to be replaced? They're 11 years old.

Answer 1

i would think after 11 years one may be faulty try changing one as it will set them both off if there is alarm  activated

Answer 2

USA   I never heard of humidity adversely affecting the detectors.  But, there is always a first time for everything.  

You might have dust or other contaminants coming in to the house when you open the windows, which might be setting the detector off.  Are there any industrial plants within several miles?  Many factories give off smoke and other fumes that set off detectors.

Most detectors are interconnected, so that if one goes off, they all go off.  If it really is the humidity doing this, you need to locate the one that goes off eratically, and replace it.

Answer 3

replace them

Answer 4

yes u should replace them....and replace them every 5  yrs..

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 5

I've had them do strange things, but never react to the humidity outside.  If you change them, try to change them all, because they get sensitive to one good, on bad one thing too.

Answer 6

If your smoke alarms are of the interconnected type, it is likely that only one is operating.  The operating one has a different sound from the others.  If you find it, blow it out with air.  Holding the vacuum cleaner against it may do the trick.  Dirt is a common contributor to false alarms.

Do not replace smoke alarms every five years.  This is wasteful.  Replacement at 10 years is recommended, but I have some that are over 20, and still working fine.  The 10 year recommendation is based partly on the premise that the smoke alarm will not be tested.  Test yours often.

If you decide to replace, be sure to get the photoelectric-type, rather than ionization.  They are the best for the home.  Also I would not get the ones with battery backup.  This is a relatively useless feature.  I have found this type out of service.  When the smoke alarm detects low battery, it chirps.  To silence it one must turn off all power, or take the smoke alarm down.  Sometimes they don't get put back up.