When Should I Replace My Carbon Monoxide Alarm?

Carbon Monoxide Detector Replacement FAQs

Carbon monoxide detectors, commonly known as CO alarms, need to be replaced regularly to ensure they continue operating correctly. Whether you have a non-digital, digital, or combo alarm, there are signs to watch out for to keep yourself protected.

How Often to Replace CO Detectors

Replacing your carbon monoxide detector is crucial for keeping you and your loved ones safe, especially if your CO alarm is nearing the end of its lifespan. Here are some signs that your alarm may need to be replaced:

End-of-Life Warning: The alarm will sound every 30 seconds.
Digital Display: If the alarm has a digital display, it will show an ERR or END error code.
Persistent Beeping: The beep will only stop when the alarm is out of power. Replacing the battery won't stop the beep.

Since CO alarms cannot detect carbon monoxide in end-of-life mode, it's important to take precautionary steps when you realize your CO detector needs to be replaced.

Non-Digital Carbon Monoxide Alarms

To determine if your non-digital carbon monoxide alarm has reached its end of life, look for the following signs:

Quick Beep Every 30 Seconds: If the alarm emits a quick beep every 30 seconds and the red LED flashes, you may need to change the batteries.
Persistent Beeping After Battery Replacement: If the alarm continues to emit a quick beep every 30 seconds and the red LED flashes after replacing the batteries, the alarm has reached the end of its life.

Combo Alarms

To determine if your combo alarm has reached its end of life, look for these signs:

Chirp Every 30 Seconds: This indicates either an end-of-life alert or a sensor error.
Chirp Every 60 Seconds: This indicates the battery power is not sufficient to power the unit in full alarm.
Non-Responsive to Battery Change: An end-of-life or sensor error will not respond to a battery change.

How Long is a Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector Good For?

In 2009, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) began requiring an end-of-life warning to alert homeowners when their carbon monoxide alarm has reached the end of its useful life. Kidde has included this feature in all its carbon monoxide alarms since 2001. Kidde carbon monoxide alarms have a proven life of seven to ten years, depending on the model type.

As of 2013, all Kidde carbon monoxide alarms have a 10-year life, with the following exceptions: Model KN-COEG-3, KN-COPE-I, and KN-COPP-3. If your CO alarm was manufactured before 2013, it has a seven-year life.

If you're unsure of your alarm's age, check the back of the alarm for the manufactured date.

In accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Kidde recommends replacing smoke and heat alarms every ten years and replacing carbon monoxide and combination alarms every seven to ten years (depending on your model) to benefit from the latest technology upgrades. Replacing your carbon monoxide detector is a quick way to ensure that the presence of CO is detected accurately.