A good home security system can offer you peace of mind and an added layer of protection. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an estimated 1,515,096 burglaries happened in the U.S. in 2016 for total property losses of $3.6 billion. The National Council for Home Safety and Security reports that homes that do not have security systems have a 300 times greater chance of being burglarized than homes that have systems installed. Installing an alarm system in your home can offer you multiple benefits, including a reduced risk of criminal victimization, added peace of mind, protection for your family and your belongings, and insurance discounts. Click here for the Best-Selling Home Security Products.
Despite the benefits, only about 17 percent of homes in the U.S. have alarm systems installed, according to a report in the New York Times. By choosing to install a home security system, you can reap the benefits that they have to offer. However, it is important that you understand both the benefits of alarm systems as well as the different types that are available so that you can choose the system that will best meet your needs and your budget.
Insurance Discounts For Having an Alarm System
In addition to providing you with a feeling of greater safety and protection, a key benefit of installing an alarm system in your home is the insurance discounts that you can enjoy. Insurance company representatives encourage homeowners to install home security systems while touting the benefits that they offer. When a system is installed, burglars are less likely to attempt break-ins and may move along rather than risk being caught.
A survey that was conducted by the Electronic Security Association of the 10 biggest insurers in the U.S. found that they offered premium discounts on average of up to 20 percent for the installation of home security systems. The largest discounts were given to homeowners who had monitored systems installed in their homes. According to Zacks, homeowners insurance premiums can range from $300 to $1,000 per year. If you receive a premium discount on your insurance for installing a monitored alarm system and receive a 20 percent discount, you could potentially enjoy savings on your annual insurance premiums of $60 to $200 annually. While your insurance savings will likely not completely pay for the cost of monitoring, it can defray it, making your home security system more affordable. You should check with your insurance company to find out the discounts that it offers for home security systems so that you can find out how much you might save.
In addition to protecting your home for would-be burglars, modern alarm systems offer added monitoring and additional protection. Most home security systems also offer monitoring for such things as smoke, fire, water and carbon monoxide. These features may be available with more comprehensive monitoring packages from different home security systems. Since insurance companies may be forced to pay out substantial amounts of money in fire loss claims, they are incentivized to encourage you to install alarm systems that have these added features.
Home Security System Components
A basic home security system consists of several core components. These include the following items:
- Control panel
- Magnetic contact alarms for doors and windows
- Motion sensors
- Alarm siren
- Keypad
There are other components that might also be useful, including indoor and outdoor security cameras, glass breakage sensors and yard signs and window stickers. All of these components work together to help to keep your home secure. The control panel is the central computer that works to arm and disarm your security system and to communicate with each individual component. If there is a breach, the control panel sounds the alarm and alerts the monitoring company. The keypad is used to program your security system and to key in passcodes to enter the home and to arm or disarm your system. Door and window sensors detect when the doors or windows are opened and communicate that information to the control panel when the system is armed.
Indoor and outdoor security cameras are add-on components that are not generally available with the most basic systems. They can be useful to record areas of your yard that might be used by intruders or to record areas of your home such as entryways. Finally, window stickers and signs in your yard can alert strangers that your home is secured, helping to deter people who are thinking about committing burglaries.
How Many Alarm Sensors Do You Need?
The number of alarm sensors that you need will depend on the size of your home. A basic system may only come with one or two door and window sensors. If you have a larger home, you will likely need to consider adding more sensors. According to The Spruce, you might save money by choosing fewer door and window sensors. However, leaving one door or window unguarded may provide an entry point into your home for burglars. It is best for you to install sensors on all of your doors and windows, including your garage door and windows that you have upstairs. Count your exterior doors and windows to determine how many sensors you should purchase with your home security system for the best protection. You can shop around and ask for discounts to make certain that your system will fit your budget, including with all of the sensors that you need to protect your home.
Wireless vs. Hardwired Security Systems
Home security systems are available as hardwired and wireless systems. While hardwired systems may initially cost less, the costs of installation may outweigh any savings you might have on the initial purchase of the components. There are benefits and advantages of each type of system, which we will cover here.
Hardwired Systems
Hardwired security systems use wires to connect all of the components to the control panel. Traditional hardwired systems also relied on landlines. These systems may cost less initially, but the cost savings can be quickly swallowed by the installation costs. If your home has not been prewired for a home security system, installing a hardwired system will require significant drilling and running wires throughout your home. If you live in a historic home, a home with a lot of interior brickwork or are a renter, a hardwired system may not be the best option for you.
Since these systems often rely on landline telephones, you might also want to opt for a wireless system if you do not have a landline telephone. Hardwired systems may be more reliable in some circumstances than wireless systems that depend on your WiFi or cellular connection. However, burglars may be able to disarm some hardwired systems by cutting your telephone line…The Advantages Of A Hard Wired Home Security System.
Some systems are a combination of wired and wireless features. For example, you might have a wireless control panel and sensors combined with a hardwired connection to your landline. Alternatively, your system might have hardwired sensors and a hardwired control panel that uses a cellular signal to communicate with the outside world. Finally, some hardwired systems rely on a landline connection but have a backup with your cellular signal in case the phone lines are down or are cut.
Wireless Systems
Wireless alarm systems may cost more for the components than hardwired systems. However, they are much simpler to install. If you choose a wireless system, you will not have to worry about drilling into your walls and running wires. Wireless home security systems are normally portable, allowing you to take them with you if you move and install them in your new home. Wireless systems use radio transmitters to communicate with the components and your home’s broadband internet connection to send signals when the alarm is activated. The systems may also use cellular signals to communicate information to the monitoring station. Some wireless systems also offer interactive monitoring via the internet so that you can monitor your home from wherever you might be on your smart device… Choosing and Installing a Wireless Home Security System.
Wireless systems may have batteries in each component. If you have a large home, replacing the batteries in all of the components can be expensive. When you replace the batteries, you will have to reset the system. The battery life for the transmitters of your wireless system should last from three to five years. In hardwired systems, there is generally just one battery in your control panel, which should also last from three to five years.
Remote Access and Home Automation
One handy feature of some modern home alarm systems is called remote access control. This feature allows you to monitor what is going on in your home from anywhere. Some of the higher-end models even offer full-blown home automation functionality, allowing you to do such things as lock or unlock your doors from afar and to control your lights if you have smart locks and lights installed in your home.
If you have smart appliances in your home such as a smart stove, having remote access control can also allow you to check your stove to make certain it is turned off without having to turn around and run home. You can view videos of your home from your mobile device or your laptop, arm or disarm your system and check to make certain that your children have arrived safely and have entered your house without worries.
Professional vs. DIY Alarm Installation
Deciding whether to choose a do-it-yourself alarm installation or a professional installation will depend largely on you. If you are a person who is handy, you may be comfortable installing an alarm system in your home by yourself. If you are technophobic, by contrast, you might want to instead rely on the work of professionals for your alarm installation. Beyond that, there are three main types of alarm systems that require varying levels of installation expertise.
If you are purchasing a complete wired home security system, it will take a professional installer up to three days to install it in your home. If you are handy and able to do it yourself, it will likely take you several weekends to complete the job. Whole-house wired security systems offer protections for your home’s perimeter and all entry points. They normally have central monitoring with your landline, cellular signal or internet connection and can dispatch emergency personnel such as the police and the fire department if there is an emergency… All About DIY Home Security Systems.
Basic alarm systems are often wireless and may have perimeter controls along with a couple of motion detectors. With these types of systems, there is often an all-in-one unit that has the control panel and the keypad along with transmitters, motion detectors and a couple of door or window sensors. These systems may take you a couple of days to install while a professional will likely be able to install them in a single day.
Finally, plug-and-play home security systems are available. These are normally available as single devices that detect the patterns of activity in your home. When the conditions in your home deviate from normal, they will sound an alarm. These types of systems only take a few minutes for you to install but only cover limited areas in your home. Whether you choose to install a system yourself or hire a professional, you will need to consider how extensive your system will be and how comfortable you are with technology.
Self Monitored Systems vs. Alarm Monitoring Companies
Home security systems are also available with self-monitoring or professional alarm monitoring. There are pros and cons of each type that you should consider.
Professionally Monitored Systems
Professionally monitored alarm systems may include multiple sensors and cameras. These systems send alerts to a professional monitoring company whenever the alarm is triggered. Professional monitoring companies have staff available 24 hours per day and seven days per week. When they receive an alert from your system, they will call your phone to make certain that the system wasn’t accidentally triggered. If it was not, the company will contact the authorities in your area so that they are promptly dispatched to your home.
There are several advantages of professionally monitored alarm systems. You won’t have to worry about calling the authorities or monitoring your system when you are away from your home. They normally will cover all areas of your home and have backup batteries so that they can continue to run in the event that the power in your home goes out… Tips for Choosing a Home Security Company.
Professionally monitored alarm systems also have some disadvantages. Most of these systems require you to sign a contract for a few years. The companies charge monthly fees for the monitoring that you will have to pay. If the alarm is accidentally set off when you are away from home, you won’t know if it was triggered by your children or by an intruder. If the police are sent to your home when there is no sign of forced entry, you might receive a charge for sending a false alarm.
Self-Monitored Diy Alarm Systems
Self-monitored systems may include numerous components. Instead of having them monitored by a professional company, you monitor these types of systems yourself. When the alarm is triggered, a notification will be sent to your phone. You can then handle it by asking your neighbor to check your home or by calling 911. Some of these systems have cameras with two-way communication, allowing you to tell burglars that you see that they are on camera and that the police are on the way.
Self-monitored systems have several advantages and disadvantages. They are generally less expensive than their professionally monitored counterparts. Since you will be monitoring the system yourself, you won’t have to worry about paying ongoing monthly monitoring fees. You can decide whether or not to call the police so that you can avoid being charged for false alarms. Finally, these systems have video cameras so that burglars can be caught on film, which can be helpful to the police to use to catch someone.
There are several disadvantages of self-monitored systems, however. If you are in an area in which you have poor reception, you might not receive an alert. Many of these systems depend on your WiFi connection. If it goes down, your home may be unprotected. Some of these systems do not have alarms, so they might not work to scare burglars away even though they might catch them on camera.
Alarm Systems For Renters
If you rent your home, getting a home security system is still important so that you are protected. However, unless your home is already hardwired for a system, you will need to choose one that will not require you to drill or to make alterations to your home. You will want to choose a wireless home security system that is portable. When you move, you should be able to take your system with you and install it in your new residence…Analyzing the Best Security Systems for Apartments.
Wireless systems that have few components might be the best option for renters. You will also want to choose a system that is low cost and that does not require professional monitoring. A good wireless system that is ideal for renters should cost somewhere between $200 to $400 and should allow you to monitor it from your phone.
Home security systems can help you to save money on your insurance while also protecting you and your family from burglaries. Some systems may also protect your home from fires and carbon monoxide leaks. Whether you want a professionally installed and monitored system or a do-it-yourself system that you monitor yourself, installing a home security system can increase your safety and give you added peace of mind.