Once your stairlift has been installed, there are a number of things you need to keep in mind. For example, it is a good idea to have a brief understanding of how your stairlift works and how to look after it.
Just like any other household appliance, home lifts need regular maintenance and servicing to maintain their quality and ensure they last a long time.
Knowing more about your stairlift and how to care for it properly will prevent anything from going wrong and allow your stairlift to remain in working order.
All stairlifts are powered by rechargeable batteries that charge when they are connected to the power outlet located at the top or bottom of your staircase. Throughout this guide, we will be exploring everything you need to know about stairlift batteries. For more information, read on!
What Happens If I Need to Use My Stairlift If There Is a Power Cut?
This is a very common question, however, there is no need to worry as all stairlifts come with a backup battery, so if there is a power cut, you should have enough battery power to make any emergency trips until the power comes back on.
All stairlifts charge when they are parked correctly in their parking station, which means that your battery should have enough charge to still make any necessary trips in case of an emergency or power cut.
But is there any way you can save the battery of your stairlift during a power outage? The answer is yes. You can accomplish this by switching off the power switch, but it is important to remember to turn it back on so your stairlift can begin charging again.
How Do I Know When My Stairlift Battery Needs Replacing?
There is no guaranteed way that you will know when to replace your battery unless the stairlift stops working or begins slowing down. If your stairlift stops and starts, your battery has drained completely and will need to be replaced.
If you suspect that your stairlift battery is not charging and needs to be replaced or you are noticing changes in your stairlift regarding speed and efficiency, then don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will send out a stairlift technician to come and assess your situation.
The reason why your stairlift isn’t working may vary depending on a range of factors. For more information, be sure to check out our guide, ‘Why is my stairlift not working?’. This blog covers a range of reasons why your stairlift may not be working, along with how to resolve certain issues.
How Do I Ensure My Stairlift Is Charged at All Times?
Many people worry that the more they use their stairlift, the quicker it will run out. Although this can be the case, as long as you keep your stairlift connected to the charging point when it’s parked, your stairlift should never run out of battery.
Here at Halton Stairlifts, all of our engineers are DBS checked and make sure that your stairlift is in excellent condition before fitting it. Your stairlift will be checked during an annual service, as this is part of your warranty coverage.
If, during your annual stairlift service, your lift’s batteries are no longer working and need replacing, then our team will advise you on what to do and aim to get it sorted out as soon as possible for you!
How Long Does a Stairlift Battery Last?
On average, a stairlift battery life lasts around 3-5 years, depending on usage. For example, if you were to constantly leave your stairlift off its charging point, this would cause your battery to drain quickly.
This is why it is important to always return your stairlift to its charging point after every use. If you don’t keep your stairlift at the changing station, you may encounter beeping, however, there is no need to worry as this can be resolved easily.
When your stairlift begins beeping or making noises, it is trying to tell you that there is a problem with your battery.
This occurs when your stairlift isn’t charging properly. The beeping noise is a sign that you will need to return your stairlift to its charging station before the battery drains completely-The older the stairlift, the more the battery drains.
Although other stairlift companies use old, discontinued Ni-Cad batteries to power their stairlifts, we use 12-volt 7ah lead acid batteries x2 in most of our stairlifts, which can be tested during service visits.
The batteries we use are of exceptional quality to ensure your stairlift has a long life span. Another type of battery we use is the 12-lithium battery pack x2.
These batteries are only required for our curved stairlifts models and have an average lifespan of between 3-5 years. (These batteries can’t be tested).
Why Is My Stairlift Not Charging Properly?
When your stairlift begins to beep, it is important that you identify the reason for this. There can be a range of reasons why your stairlift isn’t charging properly. Here are some ways you can check your stairlift for errors:
- Check the parking station, is the connection strip cleaned correctly?
- Have you parked your stairlift properly at the power station?
- Check your fuse box to make sure the power hasn’t tripped
- Check that the switch is turned on on the wall
Most of the time, when your stairlift isn’t working, it’s usually down to a simple issue that can be resolved easily.
However, if you have tried everything and you find that you are having stairlift problems, then make sure you contact us so we can come and assess the problem and resolve it for you as soon as possible.
Contact Halton Stairlifts
Here at Halton Stairlifts, we offer next-day delivery for your stairlifts and we are a Checkatrade-approved company that offers a wide range of stairlifts suited to your home. If you have a curved staircase, then you can explore our curved stairlift range or if you have a straight staircase, check out our straight stairlift services today!
We also offer pre-owned stairlifts for those who are after a more environmentally friendly, cost-effective option.
If you would like more information on the stairlifts we offer or support regarding your stairlift batteries, don’t hesitate to call us at 0800 644 7766. We are more than happy to help!
Neil is the founder of Halton Stairlifts. He has years of experience installing stairlifts across the UK. With an eagerness to help those with mobility issues get up the stairs, Neil understands how important it is for a seamless and straightforward approach to installing stairlifts to help those in need quickly.