| So you’re thinking about purchasing a home security system to protect your family and your belongings, a few clicks and a Google search result later you realize there are several types of home security systems out there. Should you go with a monitored or a non-monitored home security system. A monitored system is a combination of sensors and devices that connect to the control panel either using wires or no wires at all. |  |
The Control Panel signals the central monitoring station at the home security company if a door or window is opened when the home security system is armed. The central monitoring station then calls the police to dispatch them to the property. A localized siren is also an option when installing a home alarm.
A non-monitored home alarm system works in a similar way as a monitored system does, without the central monitoring station, there is no dispatching service. Most stand alone home alarms are setup in such a way that you can dial so many numbers if the alarm trips. The only issue with this setup is you could have many false alarms because there is no one on the other end verifying that you have an actual emergency. Like the little boy who cried wolf. You have the police show up to your home two times from false alarms. How fast are they going to get there the third time. Especially if it’s the third time in a month. This is why home security systems with monitoring, professional monitoring that is, are far more popular.
Benefits of a Home Security System with Monitoring:
- Peace of mind: This is what security system owner’s typically pay for. People simply want to know that they’ve done everything they can to keep their loved ones and their valuables safe. If a burglar attempts to break into your home when your loved ones are there, the police would be immediately dispatched and this is very reassuring.
- Environmental reasons: Fire, floods and extreme temperatures. If a fire suddenly occurs in your home when it’s unoccupied, having the fire-department dispatched is a big advantage, especially for pet owners. The same goes for being alerted if there is a flood, you could prevent things like pipes bursting due to freezing temperatures in your home by getting a temperature sensor, this is great for people with vacation homes that are vacant or if you just want to know if the heating system stops functioning.
- Monitoring members of the household: People with school aged kids or elderly family members may use monitored home security systems to keep an eye on what’s going on in the home. Interactive monitoring plans provide smartphone access so you can be alerted as to when your kids get home from school or if they remembered to armed the security system before leaving.
- Contractors or Service People: It could be the Realtor or the cable guy, Joe the Plumber even the dog walker… whoever it is you can let them in remotely by disarming your home security system when they arrive. This is especially great if you have people performing billable work in your home. If something comes up missing – you can get a log of who was in the property when the burglary occurred. A monitored home security system could help with the Who, What, When and How, if you ever had to complete a police report.
- Medical reasons: People who may be in need of immediate medical care: the handicapped or the elderly could all benefit from a monitored home alarm system. Think of the I’ve falling and I can’t get up commercials. Yes they were funny but it’s true. Wait till you get old. At least that’s what my 90 year old grandmother always says. With a monitored home security system, your local Emergency Medical services team can be dispatched to your home if you have a medical emergency with the use of panic buttons or medical pendants.
Here’s a quick recap: The main difference between a monitored and a non-monitored security home security system is that monitored security systems connect to a monitoring center that dispatches the police to your home, they rely on either a phone line, internet or the safest option, a cellular connection, to connect and report an incident. The incident is verified and if it’s real then the authorities are immediately dispatched.
So there are many advantages to a home security system with monitoring and you can check out our home security systems reviews to find the best system for you, however your might be in a situation where monitoring is not an option. If so read on.
Cost: Since you are not monitored by a monitoring center, you will not have the cost of a monthly monitoring plan. You always have the option of prepaying which might be a good idea if you are buying it for an aging parent on a budget. If you need the monitoring but don’t want a monthly fee for monitoring, this may be the way to go. If the system is for you and you are dead set again monitoring then you can buy a DIY home security system and configure it to call your relatives, neighbors or local authorities.
Simply looking for a deterrent: Most alarm system packages come with yard signs, window decals etc. these things provide more than free advertising for your alarm company, they could be a deterrent to an opportunistic burglar. A burglar will often choose the path of least resistance. Burglars typically case the neighborhood, if they were to choose between two similar homes one with home security signs and decals and one without, they are more likely to go for the house without a security system. These signs and decals typically come standard when you purchase home alarm equipment. You can buy these on Amazon but I’ve read a lot of reviews of the signs fading and they are very generic. If you are a burglar you are pretty familiar with the home security system in the market so a generic sign might not be enough for the savvy burglar.
Police Dispatch is not available: Let’s face it, in some areas the local police do not respond to home alarms, or can’t be dispatched by your monitoring center. While you may be able to hire a local armed guard service that can be dispatched by a monitoring center, people opt for a neighborhood watch or indoor and outdoor sirens to notify neighbors and make a burglar uncomfortable while in the community. Note that people have generally become desensitized to sounds of sirens, but if you and your neighbors have an understanding, then someone may indeed dial 911.