Smoke Detector & CO Alarm Installation | Unity Power and Light

Working smoke detectors reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 50 percent. That single statistic underscores why proper smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm installation is one of the most important safety upgrades you can make to your Aiken home. Yet many homes still rely on outdated battery-only detectors that are not interconnected, or worse, have detectors with dead batteries that fail when they are needed most.

South Carolina building code requires smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home including basements. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages. For new construction and major renovations, these detectors must be hardwired with battery backup and interconnected so that when one alarm sounds, all alarms sound. Unity Power & Light installs code-compliant smoke and CO alarm systems throughout Aiken, SC and surrounding areas, giving you the earliest possible warning in an emergency and protecting your family around the clock.

Hardwired vs Battery-Only Detectors

Understanding the difference between hardwired and battery-only smoke detectors is essential when planning your home safety system.

Hardwired Detectors (Code Required for New Construction)

Hardwired detectors are wired directly into your home's electrical system and include a battery backup in case of power failure. Most importantly, hardwired detectors are interconnected -- when one detector senses smoke or carbon monoxide, all detectors in the system sound their alarms simultaneously. This gives occupants in remote bedrooms or basement areas critical extra seconds to evacuate. Hardwired systems are required by code in all new homes and major remodels, and they represent the highest level of fire safety available for residential properties.

Battery-Only Detectors (Not Interconnected)

Battery-only smoke detectors are simpler to install and do not require electrical wiring, but they have significant limitations. Each detector operates independently -- if a fire starts in the basement, only the basement detector will sound. Occupants sleeping on the second floor may not hear the alarm until smoke has spread throughout the house. Battery-only detectors also depend entirely on you remembering to replace the batteries regularly. While they are better than nothing, they do not meet code requirements for new construction and do not offer the same level of protection as an interconnected hardwired system.

Where Smoke and CO Alarms Are Required

South Carolina building code specifies minimum placement requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Meeting these requirements ensures your home is adequately protected and keeps you in compliance during inspections or real estate transactions.

Inside every bedroom: A smoke detector must be installed in each bedroom where people sleep

Outside each sleeping area: Detectors are required in hallways or common areas adjacent to bedrooms, within 15 feet of bedroom doors

On every level of the home: Including basements, first floors, second floors, and attics used as living space

Basement installations: Detectors should be placed on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs leading to the floor above

Near the kitchen (but not too close): Smoke detectors should be at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to reduce false alarms, but close enough to detect kitchen fires

Garage and utility room (CO alarms): Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed within 15 feet of any fuel-burning appliance, water heater, furnace, or attached garage

Many older homes do not meet these requirements because codes have become more stringent over time. If you are selling your home, refinancing, or simply want to upgrade your safety, Unity Power & Light will assess your current coverage and install additional detectors where needed.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas produced by fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges, fireplaces, and vehicles. CO poisoning is responsible for hundreds of deaths and thousands of emergency room visits every year in the United States, and many of those deaths occur in homes without working CO alarms.

Symptoms of CO Poisoning

CO poisoning symptoms are often mistaken for the flu. Early symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath. As exposure continues, symptoms worsen to include confusion, vomiting, chest pain, and loss of consciousness. High levels of CO can be fatal within minutes. A CO alarm provides the only reliable early warning because you cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide.

Where to Place CO Alarms

CO alarms should be installed on every level of the home and within 15 feet of sleeping areas. Place alarms near bedrooms so occupants will hear the alarm if CO builds up during the night. Additional alarms should be installed near fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, and gas fireplaces. Avoid placing CO alarms directly next to appliances or in high-humidity areas like bathrooms, as these conditions can cause false alarms or reduce sensor lifespan.

Our Installation Process

1

Assess Your Current Coverage

We walk through your home and evaluate your existing smoke and CO alarm coverage. We identify gaps in protection, check the age and functionality of current detectors, and determine whether your system meets current South Carolina code requirements for your type of occupancy.

2

Plan Installation Per Code

Based on our assessment, we develop an installation plan that places detectors in all required locations. We identify the most efficient wiring routes and determine whether we can tie into existing circuits or need to run new dedicated wiring from your electrical panel.

3

Run Wiring for Interconnected System

We run 14/3 or 12/3 wiring to interconnect all smoke and CO alarms. The third wire (typically red or yellow) carries the interconnect signal so that when any detector triggers, all detectors sound simultaneously. We secure wiring per code and minimize visible conduit by routing through attics, crawl spaces, and wall cavities wherever possible.

4

Install and Test Each Detector

We mount each detector to the ceiling or high on the wall per manufacturer specifications, connect the wiring, install backup batteries, and test each unit individually. We then test the interconnect function by triggering one detector and verifying that all other detectors sound their alarms as required.

5

Program, Label, and Document

For smart or addressable systems, we program each detector and assign location labels. We document the installation with a system map showing detector locations and installation dates, and we provide you with user manuals and maintenance instructions for each device.

Types of Detectors We Install

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

Photoelectric detectors use a light beam to detect smoke particles. They are more responsive to smoldering fires, which produce large smoke particles before flames appear. These detectors are ideal for bedrooms and living areas and produce fewer false alarms from cooking smoke than ionization detectors.

Ionization Smoke Detectors

Ionization detectors use a small radioactive source to ionize air and detect disruptions caused by smoke. They respond more quickly to fast-flaming fires and are often used in hallways, stairwells, and areas away from kitchens where flaming fires are more likely to start.

Dual-Sensor Detectors

Dual-sensor detectors combine both photoelectric and ionization technologies in a single unit, providing the fastest response to both smoldering and fast-flaming fires. These detectors are an excellent choice for maximum protection with fewer devices.

Combination Smoke and CO Detectors

Combination units include both smoke detection and carbon monoxide sensing in one device. These are popular for simplifying installation and reducing the total number of devices on ceilings, particularly in bedrooms and hallways where both types of alarms are required.

Smart and Connected Detectors

Smart detectors from manufacturers like Nest and First Alert connect to your Wi-Fi network and send alerts to your smartphone when an alarm is triggered. Some models include voice alerts that specify the type of danger (smoke or CO) and the location. These systems are ideal for homeowners who travel frequently or want remote monitoring capability.

Maintenance and Replacement

Even the best smoke and CO alarms require regular maintenance and eventual replacement to function reliably.

Test monthly: Press the test button on each detector once a month to verify the alarm sounds. Test the interconnect function by triggering one detector and confirming all others sound.

Replace batteries annually: Even hardwired detectors have backup batteries that must be replaced every year. Many homeowners do this when clocks change for daylight saving time.

Clean detectors twice per year: Dust and debris can block smoke sensors and cause false alarms. Vacuum the detector vents using a soft brush attachment.

Replace smoke detectors every 10 years: Smoke detector sensors degrade over time and lose sensitivity. Manufacturers recommend replacing the entire unit every 10 years from the date of manufacture (not the install date).

Replace CO alarms every 5 to 7 years: Carbon monoxide sensors have a shorter lifespan than smoke sensors. Check the manufacture date printed on the back of the unit and replace per manufacturer guidance.

We offer maintenance service calls to test your entire system, replace batteries, and verify all detectors are functioning correctly. If your detectors are approaching end of life, we can replace them with new interconnected units that integrate seamlessly with your existing wiring.

Smoke and CO Alarm Installation Pricing

Unity Power & Light provides flat-rate pricing for smoke and CO alarm installation. The total cost depends on the number of detectors required, whether wiring needs to be run, and the type of detectors you select.

Single hardwired detector with existing wiring: $100 - $150 per detector

Single hardwired detector with new wiring: $150 - $200 per detector

Interconnected whole-home system (5-7 detectors): $800 - $1,200 depending on wiring complexity

Smart detectors with Wi-Fi connectivity: Add $50 - $100 per unit for smart models and setup

Factors that affect pricing include the size and layout of your home, the accessibility of attic or crawl space for wiring, whether we can tie into existing circuits or need to run new circuits from the panel, and whether you choose basic detectors or smart models with app connectivity. We provide a detailed quote after assessing your home and discussing your preferences.

Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Installation in Aiken, SC