home security system houston
Broadband primary services, on the other hand, have cables running down the side of a house that can be cut, thereby disabling the system. Some services offer cellular back up should this occur. Look for a home security system with a full line of wireless peripherals, including modules for controlling lights and appliances, thermostats, cameras, motion sensors some can distinguish between a pet and a person, water sensors, and glass break and vibration sensors. Look for long life battery power, too. Lithium sensor batteries, for example, can last
three to five years. When they do run low, the system lets you know well in advance. Choose a controller with back up battery so the system will stay active in the event of a power outage or if the Internet is down. If you will be installing smoke alarms you’ll need the extra power of a 24 hour battery back up, not the 4 hour back up offered by many manufacturers. THE COST FOR SECURITY There are two costs to keep in
mind when shopping for a home security system. The first is for the equipment and the installation, if you’re having it done by a professional. It can run from a few hundred dollars for a basic installation or less that half of that if you install it yourself to north of $1000 for a full feature system with specialized sensors and wireless smoke and CO detectors.
Learn more about consumer financing. Some of the lower quality home security systems come with only basic door and window sensors that customers can easily install themselves. More high end equipment packages—like the ones Vivint Smart Home provides—come with a touch screen control panel and the option to add outdoor home security cameras, all of which require professional installation. Learn more about professional installation services. The home security market offers many plug and play equipment packages that center around an audible alarm to deter intruders who trigger a door or window sensor. They do not offer professional monitoring, so there’s no monthly service contract involved. Monitored home security systems cost between $20 and $60 per month. Although criminology research suggests most intruders flee at the first sound of an alarm, complete home security offers much more than just crime prevention. Protection from house fire or water damage, and assistance with medical emergencies should also be considered. In addition to providing more comprehensive protection, complete home security systems backed by professional monitoring services may also qualify customers for discounted homeowner’s insurance premiums. Learn more about professional home security monitoring.