subject: Home Alarms Systems: How to Keep Intruders Out ! by:Patrick Sheen [print this page] After I had my home broken into, I finally decided it was time to get an alarm system installed. Of course if I had any common sense, I would have thought to get one before anything like that ever happened. But as such is the case, better late than never I suppose. At least now I feel much more secure when I'm away because I know that my house is being monitored at all times.
Believe me, aside from losing some of my valuables, I think the worst feeling was knowing that my personal privacy had been violated. Some stranger actually went through my personal things! That had a greater psychological effect on me than actually losing a few personal belongings. The truth is, they didn't take all that much. The police said it looked like teenage vandalism more than anything else. However, none the less, that stripped away my sense of comfort and security about my own home! Its a sad thing when you can't even feel secure in your own house.
So began my quest for a good home security system. I would like to share with you what I have discovered and learned about the many different types of systems that I came across in my pursuit of the ideal home alarms system for me.
Hopefully this will act as an informative guide to give you a better idea on what you may need in regards to a good home alarm system.
First of all I have come across what I would say are the four main categories of Home Alarms Systems.
1 Do it your self systems
2.Wireless systems
3 Hard wired systems
4 Portable alarms systems
Ok so which one do you get?
The best way to determine what is the best system for your needs is to break it down into these two main categories.
Do you live in your own home or do you rent an apartment?
If you have your own home then it would be best to buy a wireless or hard wired system preferably with a monitoring service.
These will offer you the best security for your home because they come equipped with emergency response systems that can alert the right authorities depending on what type of alarm is sounded. There are many different features that you can choose from within these types of alarm systems as well. More on that in a moment.
If you rent an apartment, then your best options would be to buy a 'do it your self'(DIY) alarm or purchase a portable system.
There are a couple of reasons for this. Namely most established home security companies do not offer monitored systems for a rented dwelling. It is still possible to have a monitored system installed of course, however you would have to make an arrangement with your landlord to split the costs, and the system would still be in his/her name.
The benefits of portable systems and do-it-your-self systems is that they can be purchased at most local hardware stores, are inexpensive and easy to install. Depending on quality and performance, the prices can range anywhere from twenty dollars to approximately two hundred and fifty dollars.
Both portable and do-it-your-self systems come with a variety of basic features depending on the cost. The cheaper systems will come equipped with a few door and window sensors , these are usually wireless and battery powered. The draw back is that the batteries need to be checked regularly to ensure your system is working properly. More advanced systems will also come with motion detectors as well as door and window sensors.You may want to get a system that is electrically powered that also contains a back up battery to ensure constant security. This way,in the event of a power failure, you can be rest assured that your system will still function.
Although these systems don't offer the same security as home monitored systems do, they can still be quite effective in thwarting a burglary. All in all, it is better to have some security measures in place than nothing at all.
Now lets take a look at hard wired or wireless monitored home alarms systems. If you have your own home then this is definitely the best option for you.
These systems can come with a variety of features, ranging from window, door sensors, and motion detectors, perimeter sensors , surveillance cameras, panic alarm buttons and fire alarms. A good alarm company will also include professional installation, ensuring that all the main entry points are covered, that the system functions properly, and the installer will also give you a detailed explanation on how to use it properly.
The main differences between a hard wired system and a wireless system is basically the cost. Hard wired systems will tend to cost more because of the extra hardware and because the installation will be much more complex.Installing such a system will require the drilling of holes and placement of wires through the walls. There tends to be more maintenance involved with hard wired systems as well.
In my opinion,a wireless system is the best choice because of its equal effectiveness and of course its alot friendlier on the wallet.
You will have to make a decision based on your needs and budget, as a fully equipped system with all the "bells and whistles can cost quite a bit. A high end system like this can start anywhere from one thousand dollars and go up to two or three thousand dollars. This does not even cover the monitoring fee, which can usually range from twenty to forty dollars a month.
However besides having the benefit of home security, you can actualy save money on your house insurance premiums. You can get up to a 10% discount on your premiums depending on the cost and quality of your security system. So this can help offset the costs of maintaining your home alarm system.
It is always recommended to shop around as much as possible and take your time in deciding which is the right set up for you.
