Battery-only smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are better than nothing, but they’re not what current code requires, and they’re not what actually gives a family the most reliable protection. Fountain installs hardwired, interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, so when one goes off, they all go off, and you’re never relying on a battery someone forgot to replace.
Residential Electrical
SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Real Protection When It Matters
- Hardwired detectors never rely on a battery that could be dead or missing.
- Interconnected systems mean every detector sounds, not just the one nearest the danger.
- Battery backup keeps detectors working even during a power outage.
- Carbon monoxide protection for a threat you can't see or smell.
Meet Code, Avoid Problems
- Bring older homes up to current hardwired detector requirements.
- Correctly placed detectors in every room and hallway that requires one.
- Avoid complications during a home sale or insurance inspection.
- Properly interconnected systems, not just detectors installed in isolation.
Reliable & Low-Maintenance
- Professionally installed detectors that are wired to actually work together.
- Far less to remember than checking individual batteries throughout the house.
- Long-lasting hardwired systems built for years of dependable use.
- One visit covers your whole home's detector needs at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions
What's the difference between hardwired and battery-only detectors?
A battery-only detector runs entirely on its own battery and works independently of every other detector in the home. A hardwired detector is wired directly into your home's electrical system, almost always with a battery backup for power outages, and is typically interconnected with every other hardwired detector in the house, meaning if one detects smoke, every detector in the home sounds at once, not just the one closest to the danger.
Why does it matter if all my detectors are interconnected?
A fire that starts in a basement or garage can take a dangerous amount of time to trigger a detector on the far side of the house if each detector only responds to what's happening in its own room. Interconnected detectors solve this, the moment any one of them senses smoke or CO, every detector in the home sounds immediately, giving everyone the earliest possible warning no matter where they are.
Where are smoke and CO detectors required in a home?
Current code generally requires smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including basements. Carbon monoxide detectors are generally required near sleeping areas and on every level, especially in homes with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage. Requirements vary somewhat by jurisdiction, and we'll make sure your home meets what's actually required where you live.
Do hardwired detectors still need batteries?
Yes, and this is a common misconception. Hardwired detectors almost always include a backup battery specifically so they keep working during a power outage, which is often exactly when a fire or CO risk is more likely. The battery is a backup, not the primary power source, which is the key difference from a battery-only detector.
How often do smoke and CO detectors need to be replaced?
Most smoke detectors have a usable lifespan of about 10 years, and carbon monoxide detectors are often shorter, around 5-7 years, even when hardwired. The sensors inside genuinely wear out over time regardless of how well they're maintained. If you're not sure how old your current detectors are, that alone is a good reason to have them evaluated.
Can you add hardwired detectors to a home that only has battery-only ones?
Yes, this is one of the most common upgrades we install. We can add hardwired, interconnected detectors to a home that currently only has battery-only units, bringing the whole system up to current code and giving you the reliability of an interconnected system.
Get Started
Ready to talk about SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS?
Our team is on hand to answer any questions and help you find the right fit for your home.