Atlanta Electrical Services
Smoke detectors save lives. That's not a tagline. It's a fact backed by the National Fire Protection Association: working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire nearly in half. But the operative word is "working." Dead batteries, expired sensors, and detectors stuck to the ceiling with tape instead of proper wiring don't protect anyone.
Most homes we inspect across Atlanta have at least one detector problem. Missing units in bedrooms. 15-year-old detectors with degraded sensors that would barely register a bonfire. Battery-only units that aren't interconnected, so a fire in the basement won't trigger the alarm in your upstairs bedroom where you're sleeping. And carbon monoxide detectors? A lot of homes don't have any, even though Georgia code now requires them when gas appliances or an attached garage are present.
JD Works Electrical installs hardwired, interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detection systems across metro Atlanta. Jordan Jones wires each detector to your electrical system with battery backup, connects them so every unit sounds when one triggers, and places them in code-required locations. Whether you're bringing an older home up to standard or outfitting new construction, we handle the wiring, placement, and testing.
Warning Signs
Smoke detector sensors degrade over time. After 10 years, the unit might still chirp during a button test but fail to detect actual smoke. Check the manufacture date on the back. If it's past 10 years, replace it now.
A chirp every 30 to 60 seconds usually means a low battery. But if it chirps after a battery swap, the unit itself is failing. Repeated chirping with no clear cause means it's time for a replacement, not another battery.
One detector per floor isn't enough. You need one inside each bedroom, one outside sleeping areas on each level, and one on every floor including the basement. Most 3-bedroom Atlanta homes need 5 to 7 units.
Battery-only detectors die when the battery dies. And they're not interconnected, so an alarm in the garage won't wake you up on the second floor. Hardwired systems with battery backup are the standard for good reason.
If you have a gas furnace, gas water heater, gas stove, or attached garage, you need CO detectors. Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible. Without a detector, you won't know it's there until it's too late.
Georgia requires working smoke detectors when selling a home. Many buyers and inspectors now expect hardwired, interconnected units. Upgrading before listing avoids inspection issues and shows buyers you maintained the property.
Our Process
Step 01
We walk your entire home, check every existing detector's age and condition, identify missing locations, and map out what needs to be added or replaced to meet code.
Step 02
We run dedicated wiring to each detector location, connect them so they're all interconnected, and mount each unit in the correct position. Ceiling-mounted for smoke. Wall-mounted at proper height for CO.
Step 03
We test each detector individually and confirm that triggering one sets off all interconnected units throughout the house. You'll hear the alarm pattern and know exactly what each sound means.
Common Questions
Hardwired detectors connect directly to your home's electrical system and include a battery backup. They're more reliable because they don't depend solely on batteries, and they can be interconnected so when one alarm triggers, they all sound. Battery-only detectors are standalone units. Georgia building code requires hardwired, interconnected detectors in new construction and major renovations.
At minimum, you need one on every level of your home, one inside each bedroom, and one outside each sleeping area. A typical 3-bedroom, 2-story Atlanta home needs 5 to 7 smoke detectors. Georgia follows the National Fire Protection Association guidelines, which also recommend detectors in living rooms, dens, and near the kitchen but not directly in it to avoid cooking false alarms.
Install CO detectors on every level of your home, near sleeping areas, and within 10 feet of bedrooms. If you have an attached garage, put one near the connecting door. CO detectors should be mounted at plug height or on the wall about 5 feet up since carbon monoxide mixes evenly with air. Do not install them directly next to fuel-burning appliances since small amounts of CO during startup can cause false alarms.
Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. CO detectors have a shorter lifespan and should be replaced every 5 to 7 years. Check the manufacture date on the back of each unit. The sensors degrade over time and become less reliable even if the unit still chirps during a test. If your detectors are older than these thresholds, replace them now.
Georgia follows the International Residential Code which requires hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms in all new construction. Existing homes must have working smoke alarms on every level and in each bedroom when selling. Homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages must have CO detectors. For older Atlanta homes that only have battery units, upgrading to hardwired interconnected detectors brings you up to modern safety standards.
For a typical Atlanta home, installing a complete hardwired interconnected system runs $400 to $1,200 depending on the number of units and how much wiring needs to be run. Homes with existing wiring from a previous system cost less. New wiring through finished walls and ceilings takes more labor. We provide a detailed quote after inspecting your home.
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Learn MoreWhat Our Customers Say
"Lost power in half the house on a Saturday night. Jordan answered the phone, walked us through some safety checks, and came out first thing Sunday morning. Found a failing breaker and had it replaced in under an hour. Lifesaver."
David & Lisa M.
Homeowners — Tucker, GA