Compare Alarm Monitoring Companies
When it comes to home security, there are multiple choices and options when it comes to alarm monitoring companies. Before deciding on the right alarm monitoring service for you, here are some recommendations to assist you in learning how to compare alarm monitoring companies and make the best possible decision on a home alarm system.
See our alarm monitoring comparison.
Do your homework and gather important information about alarm companies that you may be interested in. Generally, it is good advice to use established and reputable security companies to ensure the safetly of you and your family. See our reviews in the section alarm monitoring companies to learn about the advantages and benefits of each. Visit their websites to get a feel of what you are looking for and what you really need. Compare features, benefits and plans to find the best alarm system deal for your home security requirements.
Make sure that the alarm monitoring service is manned 24/7 by trained personnel that is experience in emergency response. Ask about their backup plan in case of power outage or natural diasters. Enquire about their response time and how long it takes to process a call. See if they have a redundant second alarm monitoring center in case of catastrophic failure at the main center. Check their overload capacity.
All reputable alarm monitoring stations should have a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certificaiton to ensure that they are in compliance with all federal, state and local jurisductions. It is also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints or such. By spending the adequate amount to time researching multiple alarm companies, you should be able to formulate an effective and accurate comparison of alarm monitoring companies in your local area.
Burglar Alarm
Burglar Alarm System
A burglar alarm system is designed to notify the user to a specific emergency condition or danger. Detectors and sensors are connected to a master alarm panel via low voltage wire or RF signal that exchanges data with each other about the current status of the zones, devices and overall burglar alarm system.
Sensors are utilized to indicate the opening of a door window while detectors are used to sense and detect motion via passive infrared (PIR) devices. You have a choice between a hardwired burglar alarm or wireless burglar alarm system. It the cases of new construction it is more cost effective to install a hardwired alarm system. In an upgrade or retrofit situation, it is more cost effective to use a wireless alarm system for faster installation process. This saves money on labor.
Some alarm systems are designed to only detect an instrusion while others provide both fire and intrusion protection. A security alarm system can range from a small self contained wireless system for a condo or apartment to a more complicated and professional multi zone alarm system for a high risk commercial building.
With a burglar alarm, you can use a wide range of devices to compliment a security solution. Passive infrared detectors are widely used in the household because it is reliable and affordable. There is ultrasonic detectors that transmit ultrasonic sound waves to protect a particular area while microwave detectors use microwaves. Photo electric beams detect the presence of an intruder by transmitting visible or infrared light beam across an area where they may become obstructed thus activating an alarm condition. Glass break detectors detect the presence of high pitch breaking glass. Smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors sense smoke, heat fire and carbon monoxide.
Things to Remember about Security Systems
Experienced burglars know that a home security system sounds in the house and the alarm signal is transfered to the alarm monitoring service using a standard phone line. With this in mind, most traditional phone lines are exposed on the outside of the house in an easily accessable location where it can be cut, severed or tampered with. In the event of a broken phone line, your home security alarm system would not be able to contact the alarm monitoring service. This can leave you and your family at risk of theft or harm.
If you run the phone line underground to an indoor phone junction box, a burglar would not be able to tamper with the phone line until he or she has entered the home thus setting off the alarm system. Whether or not you have a home alarm system, it is a good idea to have a protected phone line to your home.
Contrary to belief, a home alarm system does not prevent a burglar from burglarizing your home. It just notifies someone if they do. A good security plan should include habits such as secure locks on all doors and windows. You should also display alarm system window decals and yard signs to deter a break in. When it comes to your home security, a well thought out plan will go a long way to securing your family and home.
A burglar alarm system is only usesful if its being utilized in the fashion that it was designed for. Be sure to ARM your alarm system when to leave your home and at night when you sleep. If its not ARMED, then it not protecting you.
LYNX Plus
Honeywell offers the LYNX Plus wireless alarm system for consumers looking to protect their home. With its advanced technology, dependable self contained design, the LYNX Plus is one of the easier alarm systems to install, maintain and monitor. The main alarm panel houses the keypad, siren, dialer and alarm battery all in one unit. It supports two way voice and has a built in speaker phone too.
It reports full contact ID to your alarm monitoring center which means each point is addressed and protected. You can monitor the system with a GSM radio or internet communication module built into main housing with no extra enclosures to mount. You also gives you the flexibility to address the more modern VOIP migration to cellular and digital radio networks.
The voice command prompts you thru the process of programming and operating the alarm system with ease. The voice command also reduces training lead time and false alarms. The LYNX Plus supports all Honeywell 5800 series wireless alarm devices including the 5828 and 5838V wireless keypads.
It has up to 40 wireless zones to add devices such a window and door sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, flood detectors, glass break sensors and temperature sensors. It has up to 8 alarm user codees, 84 event log and is fully remote downloadable. If you are looking for a reliable, dependable and affordable home security system, then give the LYNX Plus a look.
LYNX Touch
Honeywell offers the LYNX Touch self contained wireless alarm system to protect you and your family. The LYNX Touch has advanced technology and tremendous appeal to the end user. With its bright, full colored touchscreen, the LYNX alarm system simplifies the operation of your security system. You can arm or disarm the system, bypass zones, leave messages or reminders for a family member. The LCD menu screen provides crystal clear prompts to reduce training and false alarms to the end user.
Due to its integrated design, the LYNX Touch is simple to install and even simplier to operate. It supports all of the Honeywell 5800 wireless devices including the 5828 and 5828V wireless keypads. It handles all of the same devices such a window and door sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, flood detectors, temperature sensors, etc.
It gives a voice announcement of alarm system zones with status along with a family message center. It also has voice chime by zone, automatic stay arming, remote phone control, speaker phone just to name a few. Its viewable log stores up to 128 events for viewing and 3 panic buttons with a one touch feature. If you are looking a one of the most popular security systems on the market, then give Honeywell’s LYNX Touch a look.
GE Simon XT
GE Simon XT Alarm System
The GE Simon XT alarm system is a dependable, reliable and affordable alarm system from the GE line of home security products. It has over 40 wireless alarm zones, clear LCD screen, one touch emergency response buttons and digital voice technology to protect you and your family. The GE Simon XT alarm panel has been rated as one of the best alarm systems for your home security needs.
You have up to 40 wireless zones for things such as window and door sensors, motion detectors, smoke detectors, flood detectors, temperature sensors and more. The backup alarm battery lasts up to 24 hours in the event of power failure and recharges itself when the power is restored. The bright LCD screen will update you and keep you informed with current information about the wireless alarm system status.
With its advanced technology, the GE Simon XT alarm system combines the latest home security products and services with simplicity of use. Arming, medical response and status updates are a touch of a button away.
With its digital voice command, you are provided instruction for operating the alarm system plus it informs you of its status and location of an alarm. It even notifies you anytime a window or door is opened. And operating the system does not take any technical expertise at all. You can have up to 1 master code and 8 additional access user codes that can be assigned to your kids, baby sitter, housekeeper or relatives. It could not be any easier to protect your home or family with a GE Simon XT security system.
GE Simon 3
GE Simon 3 Alarm System
The wireless GE simon 3 alarm system is designed to be dependable, reliable and easy to operate. It is one of the most affordable wireless alarm systems with digital voice technology that lets you know it is operating properly at all times. With its compact design, the battery, siren and touchpad is built right into Simon 3 alarm control panel.
Features of the wireless GE simon 3 security system is its wireless control, digital voice technology and emergency repsone buttons for police, fire and medical emergencies. You can get all of these features and more from the GE alarm system line of products.
The GE Simon 3 alarm system has 24 monitored zones that allow it to detect entry point sensors, motion detectors and all other available accessories to compliment your home security system. In the event of power failure, the backup battery can last up to 24 hours to protect the premise and will automatically recharge when power is restored.
When it comes to installation, the GE Simon 3 security system has built in voice command that guides you step by step through operating your alarm system while keeping you updated of the current status and location of any triggered alarm event.
The GE Simon 3 alarm system will also act as a door and window chime that alerts you anytime a door or window is opened. Should a person try to slip out of the window unattended, the system will promptly alert you.
You have a status button that will notify you if a particular device needs a battery replacement or if there has been an activation while you were away. Also, your home security system is totally supervised and constantly reports to the command station to ensure that it is fully functional.
With the GE Simon 3 alarm system, you have the option of integrating the X10 line carrier technology to control lights and appliances by schedule, by event or with the press of a button. You can control up to 8 separate individual X10 components.
DIY Alarm Systems
DIY Home Alarm System
With advances in modern technology, more consumers are looking to save money with DIY alarm systems. That is, a DIY alarm system is just a “Do it Yourself” system meaning that it is designed with the simplicity of installation in mind. Most DIY alarm systems can be installed by anyone with basic tools and no previous experience.
Most DIY security systems are wireless because they are easier and less labor intensive to install and require minimal technical expertise. Usually, all of the components such as the keyad, alarm panel, power transformer and backup battery are self contained in one easy to mount kit near an entrance point.
With a DIY security alarm, install the alarm panel along with the associated devices and program the system. This usually takes less than one third of the time it takes to install a traditional hardwired alarm systems. Just follow the easy DIY steps that accompany the alarm system manual for your particular model.
Since you now own your alarm system, it is less expensive to retain alarm monitoring services without having to sign a contract. I have seen alarm monitoring rates as low as $5 per month. Otherwise, leasing a security system can cost you upwards toward $40 per month. Browse the internet for “wholesale alarm monitoring.“
Wireless Home Alarm
Due to the numerous benefits, a wireless home alarm is becoming increasingly popular amount homeowners needing a secure home alarm system. Before you make a choice, become familiar with a advantages and disadvantages on each system.
One of the main advantage of any wireless home alarm is its lack of wires. You do not have to stress over how to attach and hide the wires from view. You can just easily install the various components in strategic locations within the home. This saves on labor when it comes to the installation because the most time consuming aspect would be running and multiple wires back to the master alarm panel. Going wireless is the most efficient process if you plan to do it yourself.
Wireless alarms offer the best flexibility over a hardwired alarms because you can install and move it anywhere you need too. With a hardwired alarm system, you have to be able to mount a device and get a wire back to the alarm panel. In some cases, this makes it difficult to install devices in the proper location for maximum protection. You also never have to worry about a broken or cringed wire with a wireless system.
Even though a wireless security system is not designed to be portable, it is just about as close as you can get because it can easily be removed and transfered to another residence when you decide to move. This is not that simple with a hardwired alarm system since you leave exposed wires and holes in the walls.
More expensive, wireless home alarms provide the same devices and options as the hardwired systems that include window and door sensors, motion sensors, smoke detectors, glass break sensors, flood detectors, temperature detectors and more.
While a wireless home alarm is worth the investment, you should note a few disadvantages as well. You need to make sure that you have a reliable backup power supply in the event of power failure. Since there are no wires to provide power, you are require to periodically change the alarm batteries in each device. This can become bothersome if the devices are located in hard to reach areas. It is also more expensive to purchase, repair and replace devices on a wireless system versus a hardwired system. All in all, you will not regret going with a wireless alarm system.
Maintenance
It is important to make sure your home security alarm maintenance is current to maintain the effectiveness and overall performance. The main purpose of a home security system is to trigger an alarm condition when it is breached. With this in mind, maintenance is crucial on all components including the master alarm panel, motion detectors, door and window sensors, glass break detectors, siren, power transformer and backup alarm battery. Make sure your security system is operational when you need it.
How do I test my home alarm system?
At the least, you should test your home alarm system on a monthly basis to ensure it is fully operational. Just call the alarm monitoring center and inform them of pending testing so they will not dispatch the police department. Then, “ARM” the system and wait for it to activate. Open the door, window or walk in front of a motion detector to trigger the alarm. Wait for the alarm monitoring station to contact you to test the response time and monitoring service. If they do not call you in a matter of 10 seconds, research the reason and correct it.
Why is it important to test my security system?
Testing your home alarm system reduces the chances to false alarms and delayed response times. In this real world, the only way to ensure your alarm system is working is to actually put it to test. It is better to be safe, than sorry.
How often should a home alarm system be tested?
Every home security alarm system should be tested on a monthly basis at the minimum. If you have a alarm monitoring service, be sure to inform them of any pending testing to keep them from dispatching the police department. No one wants to find the police showing up at your door.
What should I be checking on my security alarm system?
Always check the status of your backup alarm battery to ensure that it holds a charge. Just unplug the power transformer to the alarm system and see if the keypad remains lit. If it does, then you can rest assured that you are being powered by the alarm battery and its holding a charge. If you do not see lights on the keypad, then replace the alarm battery as it will not hold a charge. On the average, a alarm system battery only last for about 3 years. Replace it every 5 years regardless.