If there has been a rash of burglaries in your neighborhood, or even if you are just starting to think more about the safety of your family, it might be time to start thinking about installing a home security system. Burglar alarms are excellent deterrants for potential criminals, and they can save your life if you are ever the target of a burglar. Obviously, no system is foolproof, but a home security system can act as both a deterrant and an alarm system. One of the main problems you will find is that there are so many different products on the market that it might be difficult to narrow them down. Here are a few tips on how to compare home security systems.
Compare Home Security Systems: Price
Obviously, the first thing that most Americans consider when comparing home security systems is price. Not only do you need to be concerned about the monthly monitoring fee, but also the price of installation, equipment and service. For example, if your sensors were to stop working, how much would it cost for a technician to come out and repair it? The up-front installation fees be thousands of dollars, so it is often better to wait until a home security provider is having a sale or special, which is almost all of the time.
Compare Home Security Systems: Additional Features
Many home security providers offer conbined services, such as burglar alarms with carbon monoxide detectors, flood alerts and smoke alarms. Find out how the services are grouped and how much it will cost to get combined service compared to purchasing each service separately.
Compare Home Security Systems: Security Centers
One of the most important things to consider when comparing home security systems is the location and number of security centers through which alarms are routed. For example, ADT – the number one security system – has six security centers so that if one or more lose power or malfunction, your security system is automatically rerouted through another security center. This is invaluable in locations where black-outs are common or where weather is unpredictable.
Compare Home Security Systems: Wiring
Now, since most families have high-speed Internet, many security systems are routed through your PC. Others are connected through your telephone line or cellular phone. Since many families use only cellular phones and don’t subscribe to landline service, you might wind up paying an extra $100-$200 for a cellular adapter so that the service can run through your cell phone. Ask those kinds of questions before making your decision.
Compare Home Security Systems: Equipment
Most home security packages come with a specific number of motion sensors, keypads and other equipment. Will you need a security camera system, and if so, how much extra will it cost? You can also purchase more expensive equipment, such as monitoring devices for elderly occupants, GPS locator devices, critical condition monitoring and others. Take the price and availability of these devices into consideration.
Reference:
- www.homesecuritystore.com, Buying a Home Security System: What You Will Need by Rachel Pickett
