I'd recommend testing the batteries first....Smoke alarms don't take much "juice" and usually have 9volt batteries in them that have an average life of 3-5 years....Changing them yearly regardless of condition would be a waste....Not to mention that most modern smoke detectors will start to "chirp" when the battery gets low so they basically self-test constantly....

Our house is 20 yro and had the original detectors. Jeez. We bought new detectors.

@EddyFree : That chirp, yes .... DH was over half deaf and hadn't been able to hear that chirp for several years, so it never bothered him. Only me. On my last trip inside our home, I noticed one had started to chirp. I was happy to walk out saying ... "Not my problem" ...

@Catmae : LOL, I don't blame you. I buy new ones and still keep the old ones going. When they start chirping I have to find where it is. I am sure the guys must hide them.

@ladybeachbum : I didn't mind changing them out, but the ceilings in some places were 20' high. I would still attempt to change. Once I lost my leg, everything changed.

So I have 9 smoke alarms in this place. Not changing them with the time change. I wait until the 'Chirp', which usually starts around 3am.

@Sheltie_Papa :
Get over it 😆 🤣.

@Sheltie_Papa : Always!

@bap: the chirp or changing batteries?

For those who forgot.