Alarms
Every home has different requirements from an alarm system so it is important to find the right system for your needs.
Burglar alarms come in two basic forms - wired and wireless and they both have their own benefits.
Systems usually come with motion detectors, but there are numerous other options - including door and window sensors which can be combined to create the best solution for your home.
Wired Alarms
Wired alarm systems take more effort to install as routing wires around your home can be trickier to implement.
This means that they are generally installed by a professional which can increase the total cost.
However, maintenance is minimal as you will not need to change any batteries.
Wired systems can also include a rechargeable backup battery to allow the system to still function when the power is out.
Wireless Alarms
Wireless alarms are much easier to install, look nicer (no ugly wires) and can be done by a company or DIYer.
They use batteries in the sensors and siren/light so you will have to periodically change these. By virtue of the fact that they are wireless, it is also easier to expand an already installed system with additional sensors at a later date.
Wireless systems can also include a rechargeable backup battery to allow the system to still function when the power is out.
External sirens can be powered solely by a replaceable battery, by a combined battery and solar panel or by wired power. This may be the only wired part of a wireless system.
Monitored, Bells-only or Auto-dial
Once you have decided on the type of alarm you will need to choose what you want to happen if an alarm is triggered.
You could simply have the alarm go off, you could receive an alert via phone or text, or you could have a company monitor your alarm and call you or the police.
- Monitored alarms are overseen by a company and you have to pay an annual or monthly fee for this service. The company will then call you if the burglar alarm goes off or alert the police. You may find that a monitored alarm system is a requirement for your home insurance policy.
- Bells-only will typically set off a siren and strobe light and can often be bought from DIY shops. These rely on you, your friends and neighbours taking action when an alarm is triggered, either by calling you or the police. These are probably the most popular type of system as there are no service charges.
- Auto-dial alarms will do the same as Bells-only but will also phone or text you if it detects a break-in. These don't come with a contract but rely on you alerting a friend or neighbour to check it out or by calling the police.
Home Automation
One other aspect you may wish to consider is Home Automation.
What this allows you to do is to control your security system and other devices in your home remotely from a mobile phone or web-enabled device. You can remotely arm and disarm your system and control lighting, thermostat, and other internet-of-things (IoT) devices.
These systems are becoming increasingly popular as they provide control from anywhere in the world and other useful features other than security.
- Perhaps you might be out at a local shop, and be contacted via your mobile phone that someone is at your front door.
- You could see a live video from your front door and see it is a friend.
- Then you could have a two-way conversation with them and tell them you'll be back in a few minutes.
Depending on what devices you have in your system, this and many more features could be at your fingertips wherever you are.
The cost for these sorts of added devices can be varied, but because they are normally wireless - you don't need to install them all at the same time. You can slowly add them one by one over a period of time.
For more information about home automation, please visit our home automation page