Comments on: How to Choose a Home Alarm System

on 11/17/2008 Lots of great tips here. I would add, before signing a contract with any home security provider, get a full guarantee. This needs to cover performance, equipment and labor, false alarm fines, emergency service and a six month money back guarantee.

on 6/3/2008 Great blog with lots of useful information and excellent commentary! Thanks for sharing.

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on 9/18/2006 Some components, like wireless smoke alarms, are UL listed to work with specific control panels and may not be UL listed for other control panels, even from the same company.

on 11/22/2005 If you have pets that are free inside the house while your future security system will be armed, you should use "pet immune" motion detectors. These motions are available in various sensitivity settings to accomodate the size pet you have. This will greatly reduce false alarms.

on 1/9/2008 If you are considering or have been advised on having a wireless system installed, you should consider the fact that each device (door contact, window contact, motion, etc.) takes batteries. If you go with a wireless system, you will not only have to pay for replacement batteries but also a service call from you installation company which can be expensive considering they only do about an hours work. Consider buying batteries yourself from an electronics store (Radio Shack)

on 11/22/2005 The most economic way is a couple of perimeter sensors (contacts) backed up by a motion detector. Secure vulnerable points in your home (such as basement or ground floor windows) with contacts, and use motion detectors in places where there's something valuable (office rooms, safes, etc.) and in main areas (living rooms, hallways, etc.). If you want to save a ton (and not deal with sensor batteries), go with a hardwired system unless you really can't put up with the installation of the wires.

on 11/22/2005 Putting magnetic contacts on windows gives a false sense of security. If your window is locked, these creeps break the glass and crawl in. If you must use contacts, use a glass guard sentry with a pull-apart connector. A motion detector is best.

on 11/22/2005 Learn more about the IQ Certification Board and see the list of companies at http://www.alarm.org/iq/iq.html.

on 11/22/2005 Alarm systems, like any other piece of equipment, will require service occasionally. Make sure your alarm company stands behind its work. Ask how much a service call costs, or if it is covered with the monthly monitoring charge.

on 10/21/2007 Make sure your alarm installer provides protection in most, if not all, windows and exterior doors. $30 to $35 per month to monitor just 3 or 4 doors is probably not worth the free installation. Additional windows should be no more than $25 per.

on 11/22/2005 Free alarm systems with minimal protection may be worse than no security system. You get what you pay for, and "no down" means you pay in the long run. Do it right first and have good protection.

on 11/22/2005 The Installation Quality Board certifies companies that are serious about false alarm reduction and prevention. If a prospective supplier is not IQ certified then you need to ask "why not?"