In today’s world, most homeowners are aware of the need to effectively and reliably secure their home. Many realize that their best option lies in installing a complete home security system. However, even with this knowledge, most homeowners are at a loss when it comes to actually selecting a system. Once they begin researching their options, they are sometimes more confused than when they began. While there are a vast number of options, there are five main things that every homeowner needs to consider when purchasing a home security system.
1. Consider Installing it Yourself
Most people assume that installing a home security system involves calling a fully comprehensive company and having them install your system. And while this was true for most people even a few years ago, advances in technology and a readily available supply of resources have made it possible for individual homeowners to install and program their own systems with relative ease.
Most security system manufacturers, such as GE or Honeywell, are now creating systems that are incredibly user friendly and simple to install. Unless your situation is incredibly complex, there is no need to hire a fully comprehensive company, considering the money you will save by doing it yourself.
2. Choose Between Wireless or Hardwired Systems
Homeowners who choose the do-it-yourself model will be immediately faced with a major choice: hardwired or wireless home security. In making this choice, homeowners need to consider the following:
Cost and Features:
Since each application is different, cost will vary from home to home. For example, on a hardwired system, the distance between the control panel and the sensors can extend up to 1000 feet. On a wireless system, the normal maximum distance is between 200 and 250 feet. If you wished to extend to 1000 feet, you would need to purchase repeaters, which bring an additional cost.
Also, devices for hardwired systems are generally cheaper than devices for wireless systems. On the other hand, many people want their security system to call a private number to notify them of an event. Most wireless systems offer this already built-in. Hardwired devices, however, generally require you to purchase an additional auto dialer. The best solution to determine cost is to sit down and decide what level of coverage you need and then price your system from there.
Ease of Installation:
Installing a wireless system in an existing home is easy. The only tools required are a screwdriver, a wire stripper, and the ability to follow directions. Programming devices takes only seconds and the whole system can be installed and programmed in no time. Installing a hardwired system in an existing home requires more work, such as running and hiding wire. Installation and programming is a bit more complex than with a wireless system. However, if you are in the process of building a home, running wire is not very hard, and a hardwired system may be the best option for you.
Reliability:
It used to be that wireless systems were unreliable. They were vulnerable to intentional and unintentional jamming by other signals. Today, however, that is no longer a problem. Modern systems use unique radio frequencies to avoid this problem. Additionally, today’s sensors use lithium batteries, which have an average life of seven to ten years, meaning you won’t be changing batteries very frequently. Wireless systems are now incredibly reliable and do an excellent job of securing your home.
3. Determine How Much Protection You Need
Before purchasing a system, homeowners need to decide what they need and want to secure. It may be nice to have a ton of sensors in every room, but it’s usually not practical or cost effective. The solution here is to walk around the outside and inside of your home and determine the vulnerable areas. Think like a thief and decide which windows and doors are the most susceptible to a break-in. Decide which rooms a thief would be likely to pass through in order to go anywhere in your house and be sure to include motion sensors there. This is also a good time to determine the location of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors.
4. Choose a Company
There are many companies out there offering a wide variety of home security equipment. It is important to find a company that is right for you, but at a minimum the company should meet the following requirements:
- Have a good product offering
- Offer free technical support
- Have a good reputation
- Be competitive on pricing
5. Consider Having Your System Monitored
Once you’ve decided on a security system, what you wish to protect and a company to buy from, it’s time to decide whether or not you want to have your system monitored. If you choose monitoring, a central station will monitor your system twenty-four hours a day. In the event of an alarm, the monitoring station will call your home. If you do not verify that everything is okay, or if you do not answer, your monitoring company will dispatch police to your home. In the event of fire or medical alarms, the general rule is to immediately dispatch emergency services without first contacting the homeowner.
If you do not choose monitoring, your alarm will sound at your home and (if you so choose) contact a private number. While this method is sufficient for some homeowners, others desire the added benefits of being connected to a Central Station. Also, in many cases a monitored system will qualify you for a discount on your homeowner’s insurance, which may pay for the service itself.
This article was provided by SafeMart. To find out more about how best to secure your home, download the free Home Security Decision Guide offered by SafeMart. Finding the right home security system for your needs is important to you. And helping you get the right system at the right price is important to us. Whether it’s a simple home burglar alarm kit, or a customized surveillance system with security cameras, SafeMart can help. Whatever your requirements, SafeMart offers all the high-level security of professionally installed systems without the high-level prices – find out more at their website today.
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