Most devices have battery level algorithms incorporated in the electronics. Since battery levels change so slowly, the algorithm is heavily filtered to reduce the effect of spurious electrical nose or power surges. The filter can be done a number of ways including: software, circuitry, or even something as simple as a resistor-capacitor filter ( a very inexpensive and easy solution). It is likely you unit has that type of level filtering. If you let the battery run down for a long time, or let the device sit idle for hours without a battery it might take the level capacitor a full 15–30 seconds (or longer) to reach the level in the battery. The circuit will wake up as soon as you plug in the new battery but the level will still be reading low so the alarm will beep . No big deal. Consider it a beeper test. In fact, it’s not even worth mentioning in the instructions. You wouldn’t even notice it if you changed the battery as soon as the you heard the first beep. Congratulations on being so observant. – and for being so diligent about changing the battery .