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Smoke Detectors: Wireless vs. Hardwired and When to Replace Them
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire roughly in half — yet many homes have alarms that are expired, disconnected, or in the wrong places. Here's what every Las Vegas homeowner should know.
Hardwired vs. wireless
Hardwired alarms connect to your home's electrical system and usually have a battery backup. Most newer homes are built with them, and they're typically interconnected — when one sounds, they all sound.
Wireless (battery-only) alarms are easy to add anywhere, and many now link to each other by radio signal. They're a great option for older homes, but the batteries must be kept fresh.
Replace alarms every 10 years
Smoke sensors wear out over time. Check the date printed on the back of each alarm — if it's more than 10 years old, replace it, even if the test button still works. Desert dust can also shorten a sensor's life.
Where alarms belong
You need one inside every bedroom, one outside each sleeping area, and at least one on every level of the home. Avoid placing them right next to kitchens or bathrooms, where cooking smoke and steam cause false alarms.
We can help
If your alarms chirp, are past their date, or aren't connected to each other, we can replace and interconnect them so your whole home is alerted at once.
Need a licensed electrician?
Innovolt Electric serves homes and businesses across the Las Vegas valley.