Security Systems Buying Guide

The demand for home security systems have increased in the past few years. This is to be expected because the entire statistics on ground shows that protected homes experience less burglary than the unprotected ones. Even the few protected homes that gets burgled, the losses experienced are always much lesser than what happens in the case of the unprotected homes. So, when you want to buy your system, you have to work with this home security guide to get the best.

Monitored or Unmonitored

There are monitored and unmonitored home security systems. The monitored systems are those that are connected to a central response office from where it is monitored, while the unmonitored systems are those that are connected to an alarm system that is installed inside the house. If you choose the monitored systems, it will mean paying a monthly fee since the alarm company will be doing the monitoring. They will always get an intruder signal whenever something triggers the system. The relevant signal is sent through phone lines to the central monitoring station.

When they get this information, they will inform you within a few seconds, and demand for a name or pass code verification from you. Failure to do this within a few seconds will have them send the police over to your home. When you choose this, you will provide the contacts of people act as your primary, secondary and tertiary contacts. They are to be contacted when you are not available.

The non-monitored systems are not connected to any central monitoring station. They are cheaper, and they either activate the siren in your home or dial the local police number whenever an intruder is detected. They can also flash the interior lights of your home to scare the intruder away. There are no monthly fees here. But when false alarm is activated, the police may fine you.

Wired or Wireless Systems

The systems installed in your home could be wired or wireless. They come with sensors that send information to the central control unit whenever an intruder is detected. The central unit is in turn connected to an alarm system, an internet system or an automatic telephone dialer. For the wired system, low voltage cables are used to carry out a very discreet connection all over the house. You can allow the alarm firm to do this for you, or you can do it yourself.

The wireless system comes with very small radio transmitters. These are meant to transmit signals to the central control unit upon activation. This could be easily installed, and may be more reliable than the former.

So, you have to choose the one you can afford and manage.