Home Security Buyer's Guide
Home security monitoring stations
While the alarm components will detect intrusion, the home security central monitoring station is the force that actually protects your home and family. As a result, understanding the role of the central station should be an important part of your purchasing process.
* Home security systems introduction
* House alarm basics
* Other home intrusion alarm features & add-ons
* Home security monitoring stations
* Buying from home alarm companies
* About home alarm trunk slammers
* Home security alarm system pricing
* Home security services tips
* Request Free Home Security System Quotes
When your home security alarm is tripped, the control panel sends the relevant details to the central home security monitoring station over standard phone lines. Within 10 seconds, the central station will call your home - or speak through the security keypad if you have dual-communication monitoring - to see if anything is wrong.
If the central monitoring station reaches someone at your home, they'll ask for a passcode to confirm the person belongs there. If they don't hear the right passcode, or if they get no answer, they will immediately send authorities to the scene. The central station will also contact the designated keyholder - a member of your household or a trustworthy neighbor you've chosen to be notified if there's a suspected break-in.
While many small monitored home security companies license the services of third-party home security monitoring stations, larger companies have their own central stations that can simultaneously watch over thousands of homes and businesses. The larger companies cost more than their smaller counterparts or third-party administrators because they are held to a higher standard through verification from the independent, non-profit Underwriters' Laboratories (UL). Large monitored alarm companies pay for the UL to test their products and services for maximum safety and reliability.
Internally managed central stations are required to contact authorities within 45 seconds of the alarm going off. And should they lose power, they must have a reliable backup source - either a second station, or a backup generator with 10-15 days worth of power on reserve.
Find out how the central station operates to know how they will monitor your home security alarm.
How central stations help reduce false alarms
False alarms are a growing concern, and the industry and authorities are focused on preventing them. Make no mistake about it, the protection and safety of your home and family is important. But bringing authorities to the scene when they're not required ties up resources that could be needed elsewhere. Also, those neighbors you depend on to keep a watchful eye on your home while you're not there may not be so helpful if they are constantly disturbed by your alarm needlessly going off.
One way to combat false alarms is to have enough time to enter your passcode and disable the alarm. Most home security systems include an audible delay feature that gives you 30-45 seconds to disable the alarm before the sirens go off.
Dual-tech sensors are one important deterrent. Often times, sensors that operate on their own can accidentally trigger when a wayward curtain or frisky pet passes the device's lenses. With a dual-tech system, two separate components - PIR and microwave - must go off at once to activate the system.
Cellular backups also help avoid false alarms. The backup alerts the home security monitoring station when there is a problem with the regular phone line. Instead of immediately calling police, the monitoring station will call your keyholder to check out the situation. Only if they discover that someone tampered with the phone lines would the police be dispatched.
Despite the millions of homeowners throughout the country that have monitored home security alarms, there are fewer than 10 home alarm companies that actually manufacture the monitoring equipment. These home alarm companies provide the equipment for the thousands of dealers that sell and install alarms.
* Home security systems introduction
* House alarm basics
* Other home intrusion alarm features & add-ons
* Home security monitoring stations
* Buying from home alarm companies
* About home alarm trunk slammers
* Home security alarm system pricing
* Home security services tips
* Request Free Home Security System Quotes
Dealers for home alarm companies range from large corporations who maintain their own sales forces and local offices to smaller resellers that work as authorized third-party installers for the large corporations or as independent security companies. Regardless of whether you decide to go large or small, installers of home security alarms typically provide all-inclusive services that include equipment and monitoring service.
Keep in mind that while many monitored alarm installers provide name brand or private label equipment compatible with most central monitoring stations, some home security companies may install proprietary systems that only work with their licensed monitoring stations. There may also be master programming and lockout codes that prevent you from making any adjustments to your system, like changing codes on your own or switching monitoring services when your contract has ended. For better flexibility down the road, make sure your system uses non-proprietary components and that you have access to all codes and programming features.
How to choose home alarm companies
When you're ready to buy an alarm, talk to a few different home security companies before having anything installed. They will conduct risk assessments to determine what your security challenges are and how to address them.
Reputable home alarm companies will meet with you in person at your home - never exclusively by phone. They'll look around, discuss your needs and possible limitations, and suggest solutions that have worked for other customers.
Get quotes from three to four different installers. Make sure you get all pricing quotes in writing - including setup, equipment, monthly monitoring fees, and warranties. The first company you speak to may seem to have a fantastic deal, but don't sign anything just yet. Take your time and meet with a few more companies and find out who offers the best balance of price and security.
Once you receive quotes and narrow down your search of home alarm companies, get references from each provider - previous clients who gave permission to be contacted about that dealer's service. Find out why a company chose a particular alarm provider and ask questions about their quality of service:
* Did they install the system quickly, in the timeframe they guaranteed?
* Are they readily available if you have problems?
* Did they explain to everyone in your household how the system works?
* Were the contracts clear and straightforward?
* If you ever experienced an intrusion, did the central station quickly dispatch authorities?
* Will you receive notice ahead of time if the alarm company sells your contract off to another central station?
Reference:
_http://www.buyerzone.com/security/security-home/buyers_guide4.html
While the alarm components will detect intrusion, the home security central monitoring station is the force that actually protects your home and family. As a result, understanding the role of the central station should be an important part of your purchasing process.
* Home security systems introduction
* House alarm basics
* Other home intrusion alarm features & add-ons
* Home security monitoring stations
* Buying from home alarm companies
* About home alarm trunk slammers
* Home security alarm system pricing
* Home security services tips
* Request Free Home Security System Quotes
When your home security alarm is tripped, the control panel sends the relevant details to the central home security monitoring station over standard phone lines. Within 10 seconds, the central station will call your home - or speak through the security keypad if you have dual-communication monitoring - to see if anything is wrong.
If the central monitoring station reaches someone at your home, they'll ask for a passcode to confirm the person belongs there. If they don't hear the right passcode, or if they get no answer, they will immediately send authorities to the scene. The central station will also contact the designated keyholder - a member of your household or a trustworthy neighbor you've chosen to be notified if there's a suspected break-in.
While many small monitored home security companies license the services of third-party home security monitoring stations, larger companies have their own central stations that can simultaneously watch over thousands of homes and businesses. The larger companies cost more than their smaller counterparts or third-party administrators because they are held to a higher standard through verification from the independent, non-profit Underwriters' Laboratories (UL). Large monitored alarm companies pay for the UL to test their products and services for maximum safety and reliability.
Internally managed central stations are required to contact authorities within 45 seconds of the alarm going off. And should they lose power, they must have a reliable backup source - either a second station, or a backup generator with 10-15 days worth of power on reserve.
Find out how the central station operates to know how they will monitor your home security alarm.
How central stations help reduce false alarms
False alarms are a growing concern, and the industry and authorities are focused on preventing them. Make no mistake about it, the protection and safety of your home and family is important. But bringing authorities to the scene when they're not required ties up resources that could be needed elsewhere. Also, those neighbors you depend on to keep a watchful eye on your home while you're not there may not be so helpful if they are constantly disturbed by your alarm needlessly going off.
One way to combat false alarms is to have enough time to enter your passcode and disable the alarm. Most home security systems include an audible delay feature that gives you 30-45 seconds to disable the alarm before the sirens go off.
Dual-tech sensors are one important deterrent. Often times, sensors that operate on their own can accidentally trigger when a wayward curtain or frisky pet passes the device's lenses. With a dual-tech system, two separate components - PIR and microwave - must go off at once to activate the system.
Cellular backups also help avoid false alarms. The backup alerts the home security monitoring station when there is a problem with the regular phone line. Instead of immediately calling police, the monitoring station will call your keyholder to check out the situation. Only if they discover that someone tampered with the phone lines would the police be dispatched.
Despite the millions of homeowners throughout the country that have monitored home security alarms, there are fewer than 10 home alarm companies that actually manufacture the monitoring equipment. These home alarm companies provide the equipment for the thousands of dealers that sell and install alarms.
* Home security systems introduction
* House alarm basics
* Other home intrusion alarm features & add-ons
* Home security monitoring stations
* Buying from home alarm companies
* About home alarm trunk slammers
* Home security alarm system pricing
* Home security services tips
* Request Free Home Security System Quotes
Dealers for home alarm companies range from large corporations who maintain their own sales forces and local offices to smaller resellers that work as authorized third-party installers for the large corporations or as independent security companies. Regardless of whether you decide to go large or small, installers of home security alarms typically provide all-inclusive services that include equipment and monitoring service.
Keep in mind that while many monitored alarm installers provide name brand or private label equipment compatible with most central monitoring stations, some home security companies may install proprietary systems that only work with their licensed monitoring stations. There may also be master programming and lockout codes that prevent you from making any adjustments to your system, like changing codes on your own or switching monitoring services when your contract has ended. For better flexibility down the road, make sure your system uses non-proprietary components and that you have access to all codes and programming features.
How to choose home alarm companies
When you're ready to buy an alarm, talk to a few different home security companies before having anything installed. They will conduct risk assessments to determine what your security challenges are and how to address them.
Reputable home alarm companies will meet with you in person at your home - never exclusively by phone. They'll look around, discuss your needs and possible limitations, and suggest solutions that have worked for other customers.
Get quotes from three to four different installers. Make sure you get all pricing quotes in writing - including setup, equipment, monthly monitoring fees, and warranties. The first company you speak to may seem to have a fantastic deal, but don't sign anything just yet. Take your time and meet with a few more companies and find out who offers the best balance of price and security.
Once you receive quotes and narrow down your search of home alarm companies, get references from each provider - previous clients who gave permission to be contacted about that dealer's service. Find out why a company chose a particular alarm provider and ask questions about their quality of service:
* Did they install the system quickly, in the timeframe they guaranteed?
* Are they readily available if you have problems?
* Did they explain to everyone in your household how the system works?
* Were the contracts clear and straightforward?
* If you ever experienced an intrusion, did the central station quickly dispatch authorities?
* Will you receive notice ahead of time if the alarm company sells your contract off to another central station?
Reference:
_http://www.buyerzone.com/security/security-home/buyers_guide4.html
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