Accidental fires were relatively a very common cause of property loss in the past. With the advancement in technology and the invention of smoke detectors, it has been reduced to a great extent.
Smoke detectors are often connected to water sprinklers so the fire can be put down as soon as possible. Smoke detectors can be either hardwired or battery-operated.
Here, you will get to know which is a better choice. You will also know the cost of installments and important basic stuff about smoke detectors.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Smoke Detectors?
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Security system installments are generally high, but it is a one-time investment with long-term safety advantages. The prices vary with the type of equipment you want to get fixed in your house.
Like any other security system, the cost of installing smoke detectors will also depend on several factors, and here are some of them.
1. Location of the detectors:
If you want to put them somewhere hard to reach, the handyman might have to go through the extra trouble of climbing and coming down, which will add to the cost. Most of the time, the location is decided by the area’s municipality.
2. The number of smoke detectors:
The higher the number of smoke detectors you want to be installed, the higher the cost. However, you might get a discount.
3. Model of the smoke detector:
If you are getting a basic model p, it will cost you less. But smart smoke sensors with visual and voice alerts or combination detectors will cost you a lot more.
4. Time of installation:
It is far easier to fix smoke detectors during construction than after the house is done. The wiring can be a difficult task which will eventually increase charges.
5. Type of circuit:
In some places, smoke doctors must have a separate circuit requiring additional work.
Installing a smoke detector can cost up to $70 to $150, making an average of $112. A low-end battery-operated smoke detector can cost around $44, and high-end hardwired ones can cost up to $398.
You can also hire a handyperson per hour for around $50 to $100.
Do You Need An Electrician To Install A Smoke Detector?
The answer is yes. You should always hire a professional for installation while you can do further maintenance on your own. You can hire an electrician from any agency to do the job. It will not only be hassle-free but will also provide the assurance that the job is done right and well.
- Electricians can help you choose the best smoke detector to keep your home safe. They are familiar with the models and the advantages of certain models, which makes their judgment reliable.
- Since they have had a lot of experience in the field, they know where it is best to install them. If an inexperienced person tries to do it, they might end up ruining the wiring or walls of the house,
- They will save you money and time. When the job is done right, you won’t need to make any more investments shortly, and they will do the job quicker than you can.
- They know the latest guidelines and rules, saving you from penalties. Rules are updated often, which makes it hard for a common person to keep track of it.
- In that one visit from an electrician, you can also get other things fixed, along with the fixation of smoke detectors. They can tell you anything wrong with the wiring or any appliance and fix it simultaneously.
When you are hiring an electrician, make sure that you check their credentials. Always choose an agency with considerable experience and a high customer satisfaction rate.
Some inexperienced people might lure you with low labor costs or discounts, but remember that if something goes wrong, you might have to pay double the cost to make it right.
You can ask your friends and family for a reference. Always get a guarantee in return, so if there is a default, you can get it repaired at a low cost or no cost. Don’t worry you can get a good smoke detector under your budget. Moreover, you can also get a great smoke detector for hearing-impaired people under your budget.
Which Is Better, Hardwired Or Battery Smoke Detectors?
Battery smoke detectors are powered by battery alone, so they do not need any circuit or wiring. Their batteries need to be changed regularly to keep them working, which is a disadvantage since it compromises safety.
Hardwired smoke detectors, on the other hand, require extensive wiring and are directly connected to the house’s electric panel. They can be interconnected and are more reliable than battery-powered ones.
- Hardwired smoke alarms are connected to the electrical panel. Thus, they don’t require battery change, making them a better choice.
- The cost of hardwired alarms is a little bit higher than battery-powered ones. It comes down to the owner’s preference and budget in this matter.
- Hardwired alarms are more reliable than battery-powered ones since battery detectors will not work if the battery dies. It is sometimes hard to track all the detectors’ batteries.
- Battery smoke detectors have a shorter life than hard-wired ones. They can easily go up to 10 years without needing an upgrade and minimal maintenance. Although, some battery-powered smoke alarms can provide long-lasting batteries.
- Hard-wired smoke detectors provide better safety than battery ones. They can be interconnected so all the alarms can go off at once. They will not stop the signal unless switched off, while battery ones might if the battery dies.
In a nutshell, we can say that hardwired smoke detectors are a better choice than battery-powered ones. If your home doesn’t have space for hard-wired ones, you can always go for the other option, as something is better than nothing. You just have to make sure that you change the batteries regularly.
How Many Smoke Detectors Do I Need?
Now that you know which smoke detector is best, you need to know how many will be sufficient to keep your house safe. The number of detectors needed will depend on some factors like
- Number of entrances
- Number of floors
- Residential area
- Number of rooms
- Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor as well as in the basement of your home.
- There should be one in every room and outside the sleeping area.
- It should be installed at least 10 feet away from the cooking area to avoid false alarms.
- They should be placed on high walls or ceilings. A battery-operated smoke alarm should be at most 12 inches from the ceiling.
- The maximum distance between two smoke alarms should be 30 feet.
You must understand the basic and common causes of house fires to prevent them.
Heating appliances: Electrical and space heaters are the most common equipment that can cause house fires. Please make sure you switch them off and take out the plug before you leave your home or when not in use.
Candles: It is a common practice to light candles to celebrate something or create a relaxing ambiance, but you should take care and keep them away from flammable fabrics. Throw the matchsticks after crushing them, or use a lighter. Electric candles can be used as well.
Christmas trees: Dry pine needles can catch fire easily; thus, check your tree so it doesn’t get dry. You can use electrical trees, which are safer, but you need to keep a close eye on them because they might have faulty wiring.
Cooking: It’s relatively common for cooking accidents to be a cause of house fires. Grease can catch fire easily, which is very hard to put out once done.
Can I Install A Battery Smoke Detector Over The Electrical Box?
The battery-powered smoke detectors are not made-to-box installation. The electrical interference can affect the detector and cause false alarms.
If there was an electric smoke detector before, he should always replace it with the same one, not battery-powered ones.
You should not install a battery smoke detector over the electrical box as there will be no filter as it is there in hardwired detectors.
It will cause what we know as nuisance alarms. Smoke detectors can be triggered by dust and dirt, so regular cleaning is necessary. It should be away from the source of steam or humidity as well.
Final Talk
You now know that it is best to hire a professional to install your smoke detectors and how much it can cost you.
It was explained properly which type of detector is best so you can make a fair choice with the help of your electrician. Take care of the fire risks mentioned in the article to keep your home and family safe.
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