Kidde smoke detector green light stays on

On my carbon monoxide detector, the green light stays on all the time. What does this mean?

Answer provided by

Carbon monoxide detectors are essential to keeping you safe, so it’s important to know how it works! Why your carbon monoxide detector’s green light stays on depends on the brand and model you’re using.

In some cases, it can merely mean your detector is on and working properly. In others, a steady or blinking green light on a carbon monoxide detector can mean it’s detected a** low-level presence of carbon monoxide**. If the presence increased, it would cause the alarm to sound.

It could also mean it’s time to replace the battery, especially if it’s also chirping.

It’s a good idea to check the manual for the specific detector you’re using to be sure about what it’s trying to tell you.

Carbon monoxide exposure is deadly, so if you’re not sure whether your carbon monoxide detector is giving you a false alarm, you should evacuate your home and call 911.

Your carbon monoxide detector is designed to keep you and your household safe—your insurance policy should be, too. With Jerry, you can search for home, renters, and car insurance quotes from top insurance providers to find a policy that gives you the protection you need at the right price.

Browse More Content

What others are asking

Read advice from car experts at Jerry

Browse by topics

Car Insurance by Make

Car Insurance by State

Important Information:  Smoke detector manufacturers recommend replacing smoke detectors at least every 10 years. Research shows detectors fail after 10 years, 50% after 15 years!

• Kidde detector User's Guide on our site:  English version   or
  Spanish Version

• Kidde (for both Kidde and Firex brands)  go to Kidde site
  

• For BRK or First Alert, go to this link

---------------------------------------------

The information below is from the Kidde User's Manual Section 4:

• OPERATION AND TESTING OPERATION: The smoke alarm is operating once A.C. power is applied, fresh batteries are installed and testing is complete. When the smoke alarm ionization chamber senses products of combustion, the horn will sound a loud (85db) temporal alarm until the sensing chamber is cleared of smoke particles.

• This smoke alarm is equipped with red and green LED indicators. The green LED (when illuminated) indicates the presence of AC power. The red LED has four modes of operation: Standby Condition: The red LED will flash every 30-40 seconds to indicate that the smoke alarm is operating properly. Alarm Condition: 

• When the alarm senses products of combustion and goes into alarm, the red LED will flash one flash per second. The flashing LED and pulsating alarm will continue until the air is cleared. 

• WHEN UNITS ARE INTERCONNECTED,only the red LED of the alarm which senses the smoke or is being tested (the originating unit) will flash. All other units in the interconnect system will sound an alarm but their red LEDs will NOT be flashing. Alarm Memory: 

• This smoke alarm is equipped with an alarm memory, which provides a visual indication when an alarm has been activated. The red LED will illuminate for about 1.5 seconds every 16 seconds to indicate the memory condition. The memory will remain activated until pushing the Test/Hush Button resets it. The memory will also reset if the battery voltage drops to 8 volts. In an inteconnected installation only the memory of the originating alarm will be activated. 

•  SMART HUSH TM CONTROL: The HUSH feature has the capability of temporarily desensitizing the alarm circuit for up to 8 minutes. This feature is to be used only when a known alarm condition, such as smoke from cooking, activates the alarm. The HUSH feature cannot be activated unless the smoke alarm is sounding in the originating alarm mode.The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the TEST/HUSH button on the smoke alarm cover. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately. The red LED will illuminate for 1.5 seconds every 8 seconds while in hush. This indicates that the alarm is in a temporarily desensitized condition. The smoke alarm will automatically reset after approximately 8 minutes and sound the alarm if particles of combustion are still present. 

• The HUSH feature can be used repeatedly until the air has been cleared of the condition causing the alarm. Pushing the Test/Hush button on the alarm will end the hush period. NOTE: DENSE SMOKE WILL OVERRIDE THE HUSH CONTROL FEATURE AND SOUND A CONTINUOUS ALARM. CAUTION: BEFORE USING THE ALARM HUSH FEATURE, IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE AND BE CERTAIN A SAFE CONDITION EXISTS. LED INDICATORS: 

• Hush mode: The red LED will illuminate for 1.5 seconds every 8 seconds, indicating the smoke alarm is in the Hush mode. 

• TESTING: Test by pushing the Test/Hush button on the cover and hold it down for a minimum of 5 seconds. This will sound the alarm if all the electronic circuitry, horn and battery are working. In an interconnected installation all interconnected alarms should sound when the test feature on any one of the interconnected alarms is activated. If no alarm sounds, check the fuse or circuit breaker supplying power to the alarm circuit. If the alarm still does not sound, the unit has defective batteries or other failure. DO NOT use an open flame to test your alarm, you could damage the alarm or ignite combustible materials and start a structure fire. TEST THE ALARM WEEKLY TO ENSURE.
  

• Notes: (BOCA - Building Officials and Code Administrators), (NFPA - National Fire Protection Association)
  1984  BOCA requires 1 detector per floor
  

  1988  BOCA requires interconnected detectors
  1989 NFPA 74   requires interconnected detectors in new construction, 1 per floor
  1993 NFPA 72   requires interconnected detectors in new construction, 1 per floor/1 within 10 feet of any bedroom, 1 in each bedroom
  1999 NFPA 72   requires smoke detector replacement after 10 years maximum

Why does my Kidde smoke alarm keep beeping?

What does L6 mean on Kidde carbon monoxide detector?

How to reset the smoke detector?

How to disconnect a smoke detector?

What does a constant green light on a smoke detector mean?

Does the green light stay on smoke detector?