If you’re like most people, you probably only think about your smoke detectors when they’re alerting the world to the bacon you just burned; however, smoke detectors are an absolutely essential tool in protecting your home and family. Without them, it’s possible for a fire to go from a spark to an inferno without you having any idea something’s wrong.

In recent years, it’s become increasingly common for smoke detectors to be hardwired into a home’s electrical system by an electrical contractor. Choosing this type of fire prevention strategy has its pros and cons, and it’s important for you to know what they are before deciding how to protect your home.

What’s The Difference Between Hardwired Smoke Detectors and Freestanding Smoke Detectors?

As the name implies, a hardwired smoke detector operates using power from your home’s electrical grid. This means as long as energy is flowing through the wires into your home, your smoke detector is operational.

A freestanding smoke detector, like the kind you can buy at a home improvement store and install on your own, runs off battery power.

Benefits Of Hardwired Smoke Detectors

As you might imagine, not having to worry about whether or not the batteries are dead is a big benefit of choosing hardwired smoke detectors. Conversely, these smoke detectors won’t work during a power outage, so it’s always important to choose a variety that comes with a backup battery.

Another benefit of hardwired smoke detectors is that they must be installed by an electrical contractor. This ensures that the devices will be properly wired and strategically placed throughout your home for early detection of a fire. With professional installation, you also have the option to connect your smoke detectors together, so when one sounds they all sound, or to connect it directly to the fire department’s alert system.

Want to explore the benefits of hardwired smoke detectors for your home or business? Contact our experienced electrical contractors today!