5 Reasons Why Your Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm Keeps Beeping and What You Can Do

If you live in an older home with outdated appliances, you’re probably used to hearing your kidde carbon monoxide alarm go off from time to time.

This is perfectly normal and it’s a sign that your CO alarm is working. However, the beeping can be very annoying and it’s a common complaint among many homeowners.

Kidde CO alarms often chirp or beep because of several reasons; some of which you can fix on your own and some that require professional help. If you’re ready to learn about the possible reasons why your carbon monoxide alarm keeps beeping and what you can do to fix it.

What is kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is produced as a by-product of combustion.

It is a toxic and potentially life-threatening air pollutant that is produced when fuels such as wood, charcoal, oil, and natural gas are burned inside your home.

A CO alarm is a small device that you connect to your home’s existing carbon monoxide alarm wiring.

It monitors the levels of CO inside your house and sounds an alarm if the level rises above a certain threshold.

This lets you know that you need to get on the phone with the authorities immediately.

How Does a Carbon Monoxide Alarm Work?

A carbon monoxide alarm is a small box that is usually plugged into an electrical socket.

It usually has two components - a sensor and a battery. These sensors sit on the ceiling or floor and absorb the CO gas.

The battery in the unit keeps the sensor functional. The CO sensor wirelessly communicates with the alarm box using radio waves.

These waves are blocked by metal objects like walls and ceilings. But when there is no metal in the pathway, the sensor sends the alarm signal.

The CO sensor wirelessly communicates with the alarm box using radio waves. These waves are blocked by metal objects like walls and ceilings.

But when there is no metal in the pathway, the sensor sends the alarm signal.

Other wireless technologies have been proven to be less reliable, less effective, and they may cause false alarms.

How to Reset a Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm

If your Kidde carbon monoxide alarm goes off when there is no danger of carbon monoxide, you may need to reset your CO sensor. To reset your sensor, follow these steps:

• Press and hold the test button for 10 seconds and release the button.
• Press the “test” button on the back of the unit.

Plug in or connect battery powered CO alarms to their power source (usually AC or DC).

Place them on a level surface away from drafts, vents, heaters, fireplaces, or other appliances that produce CO gas.

Ensure that each CO alarm is at least 20 feet from the other CO alarms. Press and hold the test button on each CO detector for 10 seconds.

If the unit beeps, it is working properly. If the unit does not beep, you should contact the manufacturer for assistance.

Learn More: How To Reset Kidde Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Why Does Your Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm Keep Beeping?

If your kidde carbon monoxide alarm keeps beeping and you’re not sure why, you may want to check for the following possible reasons.

First, your sensor may need to be replaced. If the sensor is dirty, it may not be able to detect the CO gas inside your home.

This is the most common reason why a CO alarm keeps beeping.

But if the sensor is working properly, then it could be that the battery in your unit is old or needs to be replaced.

This is especially true if your kidde carbon monoxide alarm is new and hasn’t been exposed to a lot of CO.

The battery in every CO sensor eventually wears out. It’s normal for it to lose its charge over time, and it may not be able to detect CO gas as efficiently as it used to.

1. CO Sensor replacements

Your kidde carbon monoxide alarm’s sensor is the one that detects if CO gas is present inside your home. If it’s faulty, your alarm will keep sounding continuously.

So if the sensor is working properly, but the alarm beeps anyway, it could be that the sensor is defective.

It’s usually recommended to replace a sensor if your unit goes off due to high CO levels for longer than 24 hours.

If the sensor is working properly and the level of CO inside your home is high, there are other possible reasons why your kidde carbon monoxide alarm keeps beeping.

2. CO Alarm wiring issues

If your kidde carbon monoxide alarm keeps beeping, but you’re sure the wiring in your home isn’t the issue, then you may want to check the connection between the sensor and the alarm box.

Make sure there is no dust or debris inside the sensor wire or in the alarm wiring. It’s also possible that the battery in the alarm is low or needs to be replaced.

You can also test the alarm by pressing the test button and the unit should go off. If the sensor is working properly, it could be that the battery in the alarm is low or needs to be replaced.

3. CO Leakage outside the home

If your CO sensor is outside your home, it could be that CO gas is leaking from the surrounding environment.

A common cause of CO leaking outside the home is an exhaust pipe that isn’t sealed properly. It’s also possible that the surrounding soil is full of minerals that are detrimental to concrete or asphalt.

4. CO Ventilation issues

If your CO sensor is inside the home, but the CO levels are high in your ventilation system, the alarm may be going off due to too much air flow.

This could be a ventilation problem inside your home or a broken or damaged fan.

It’s also possible that your fan motor is working too hard. If it’s overheating, it could be that your fan motor needs to be replaced.

5. CO Home Depot Find

If your CO sensor keeps beeping, but you’re sure there is no CO leak outside your home and the level of CO in your home is normal, then you may want to check your home’s air filter.

It’s possible that your filter isn’t working properly and needs to be replaced.

It’s also possible that the filter needs to be cleaned. You can clean your home’s air filters by vacuuming them with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.

This will help remove any dust or pollutants that could be interfering with the CO sensor signal.

You can also use a carbon filter cleaner to create a cleaner filtration environment for your filter.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why your kidde carbon monoxide alarm keeps beeping.

If your sensor is working properly, it could be that the sensor is dirty or broken.

You can also check your battery levels or your air filter to see if there is something else wrong.

If none of these solutions work, your unit may need to be replaced. Make sure to keep your CO alarm charged and ready to go.

This will help you avoid false alarms and ensure that your sensor stays in top working condition.