Does a smoke alarm have to be hardwired into the house or is it okay to use just the battery type?

Smoke detectors are required in residences in the state of California. Insurance companies strongly urge their policyholders to have them, and usually offer a small discount for having one.These detectors can be battery operated or hardwired. If they are hardwired, they are sometimes monitored by an alarm company and if that is the case, then a greater discount is provided.You should check with your local municipality to see if they require a hardwired smoke detector, but most do not. Also, many places now require a carbon monoxide detector, although the insurance companies do not give a credit for this detector.You can check with your insurance company about any additional discounts if the detector is hardwired, if you are considering putting a hardwired system in. If you are, you might consider a burglar alarm too, as it will add to the discount you are receiving. If you are not, you can simply use the battery operated detector.