Choosing a Home Burglar Alarm System
ADT & Brinks Alarm Systems Dominate Residential Security Monitoring
Jun 29, 2009
Choosing a home burglar alarm system can be difficult for the homeowner due to the multitude of optional house alarm systems and alarm system companies. House alarm systems protecting the home against burglary and fire make sense for homeowners faced with these fire and burglary statistics.
- According to FBI reports, a burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every fifteen seconds, four each minute of every day.
- In 2005, nearly 3% of all households were burglarized according to U.S. Department of Justice reports.
- The U.S. Fire Administration estimates there were over one and one-half million household fires in 2007, with property losses of over $14 billion.
Alarm System Companies
Perusing local telephone directories or Internet searches yields a multitude of home security companies in major cities. The two dominant national companies are ADT alarm systems and Brinks alarm systems. ADT is the largest by far, with an estimated seven million customers. Brinks is a distant second with over one million customers. A third company, Protect America, claims one quarter million customers.
In addition to these national companies, dealers authorized to sell ADT and Brinks alarm systems, as well as other residential security systems, can be found in most cities.
The handy homeowner has the additional option of purchasing house alarm systems similar to those of ADT and Brinks. Most security systems, including those branded as ADT or Brinks, are made by Honeywell's Ademco division. These are available to the handy homeowner from authorized dealers that sell over the Internet.
What to Consider When Choosing a Home Alarm System
The homeowner deciding to protect home or apartment against fire or intrusion should consider the following in preparation for requesting a professional assessment and quotation.
Local Alarms or Remote Monitoring
Alarm systems can be configured to call a remote monitoring center in addition to sounding local alarms when an intrusion or fire is detected. These residential security monitoring centers are staffed 24/7 year round, providing the greatest level of home protection. The major companies' monthly remote monitoring charges range from thirty to fifty dollars a month. Local—non-monitored systems—only sound a local alarm alerting the homeowner to a fire or security breach; if the homeowner is away the dwelling is unprotected.
Extent of Alarm System Protection
Basic systems protect against intrusion and fire. Options can be added to detect the presence of carbon monoxide and flooding, or to provide a means to signal a medical emergency.
Extent of Intrusion Protection
Basic systems monitor perimeter doors. Additional intrusion detection options include monitoring individual windows for forcible entry and for glass breakage. Motion detectors can be installed to monitor interior areas instead of perimeter devices or as an additional level of protection. Remotely monitored systems normally utilize land-line telephone lines, but can be configured to call via cell technology.
Wired or Wireless Alarm Systems
Each detection device can be hard-wired to the local alarm system or connected via wireless transmission. Hard wired protection is more reliable and devices are cheaper than wireless devices. Installing wired systems in existing homes can be difficult. The homeowner's satisfaction will be highly dependent on the skill level and quality of work of the installer.
Wireless devices are slightly larger than their wired counterparts, perhaps being more visibly intrusive. They require periodic battery replacement. Wireless detectors are active electronic devices; though reliable they will have lower reliability than wired devices.
Anticipated Stay in the Residence
ADT and Brinks require three year contracts which include early termination fees. If planning to move within the contract time, the homeowner will want to take this cost into account.
Choosing a Home Alarm System
Having considered the security system alternatives described above, the homeowner will be well prepared to request several free quotations. ADT alarm systems and Brinks alarm systems are national and are likely to have local offices or nearby authorized dealers.
The system design offered by each salesperson will reflect that person's level of experience and possibly the commission incentives emphasized by the dealer. The prepared homeowner will be able to ask intelligent questions and make appropriate decisions on system options.
The well-informed homeowner is in the best position to select a home alarm system meeting her security system needs. Before signing a contract the homeowner should request dealer references and a Better Business Bureau history.
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