Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – June 24, 2026
THE 10-YEAR RULE: WHAT HOMEOWNERS NEED TO REPLACE
Homeowners across New Jersey are discovering that smoke and carbon monoxide detector rules have changed over the years, especially during home sales and occupancy inspections. Battery-operated smoke alarms are no longer the old-style units that relied on replaceable 9-volt batteries. Current requirements call for approved battery-operated smoke alarms to use sealed 10-year lithium batteries designed to last for the life of the device. The change was made to reduce the number of alarms disabled because batteries were removed or never replaced.
Carbon monoxide detectors deserve the same attention. Many homeowners do not realize that CO detectors also have a limited service life, typically no more than 10 years, because the sensing components lose accuracy over time. Even a detector that still beeps may no longer provide reliable protection. A quick check of manufacture dates can improve safety and prevent problems during inspections and home transactions.
