Rampant crimes in large cities across the United States make security alarms a popular addition to American homes. It offers peace of mind to homeowners who want to protect their belongings and families. You need to keep the instruction manual for your home alarm system and write down important information such as the model number, serial number, and current master code to prevent future problems.

Review the instruction manual of your home security alarm system, and take note of the basic troubleshooting guide, battery information, and alarm signals. Not all security systems are powered by batteries. Most modern alarms use a combination of batteries and hard wire electricity.

Common Alarm Setup

  • Backup batteries are often installed for prospective power failures
  • A control panel runs on AC power but still contains a backup battery
  • Even hardwired smoke detectors may have backup batteries installed
  • Motion detectors are typically battery powered because of their isolated placement

Improvements to battery life are constantly being made. However, they will always need to be changed, so if your alarm system runs off batteries, changing the batteries periodically can save you some trouble and late-night inconvenience.

Low Battery Indicators

Most manufacturers recommend changing your system’s battery every 3-5 years, but newer devices may last up to 7 years. If you do not know when your system was last serviced, you should start looking for a replacement battery. Your home system will also show signs or signals when a battery is getting too weak.

Beeping Keypad

Depending on your alarm system, most home alarms start to beep when the power is low. It could happen once a day or on a few hours’ interval. If your battery has been newly replaced and there are still noises coming from the keypad when you are sure there is nothing else going on, consult your manufacturer’s manual to know what specific signals mean.

LCD Display Warning Code

When the battery is low, your alarm will show a code on the LCD panel. Look for BAT, LO BAT, or LOW BATTERY warnings on your keypad’s display. Power outages or a recently unplugged system may also cause the low battery indicator to show. After a power outage, wait for 24 hours before checking if your batteries are really low. The battery may just need to be recharged.

False Alarms

An inconsistent power source can trigger false alarms. If you find yourself or a member of your household constantly annoyed by false alarms, schedule a regular battery replacement every three years. Regular battery replacement reduces false alarms. Put your system into test mode before replacing the batteries, as this can also trigger false alarms.

Missing Instruction Manual

It could pose a problem if you do not know the type of system you have or if you do not have access to your system’s instruction manuals. You can check your device’s model online and look for downloadable manuals on the manufacturer’s website. There are also numerous forums and community boards dedicated to sharing troubleshooting tips. When all else fails, call a security or monitoring company and ask for their assistance. Don’t overlook professional help just to save money. Your alarm system must always work properly to keep your family safe.