What are the advantages and disadvantages of house alarms? Preston Alarm Experts provide alarm systems fitting services throughout Preston and Lancashire. Make informed decisions about protecting your home with this comprehensive guide to the advantages and disadvantages of house alarms.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Home Alarm System
Many homeowners are concerned about their security. It's prudent to have at least some security systems installed around your home to keep you safe. Whether this means installing CCTV cameras, double-lock doors or security windows, there is a wide range of systems to choose from.
Alarm systems are potentially one of the most popular security measures many homeowners choose. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to bear in mind. Understanding these positives and negatives is the best way to decide what is best for your home.
This article will take you through the advantages and disadvantages of security alarm systems.
Advantages of Alarm Security Systems
The main purpose of a security alarm system is to alert you or others nearby when intruders attempt to enter your property. They are usually simple in design and can act as a great deterrent if you place them in an easily visible place on your property.
Here we'll take a closer look at the main advantages of these alarm systems for your domestic security. Remember that not all properties are the same, and what may work for one might not work for the other. But by listing these advantages, we hope to help you decide what is best for your home.
Constant Protection
Once installed, your alarm system will provide constant protection for your property. Most alarm systems are linked to emergency centres. When your alarms are triggered, either a security service or the police will be alerted. This ensures your home has 24/7 protection against burglars and intruders.
Strong Deterrent
Having a visible alarm system installed on your commercial or domestic property can act as a warning to potential intruders. In fact, properties that have alarm systems installed are far less likely to suffer a burglary, thanks to the clear deterrent these systems provide.
Obviously, intruders will notice when the alarm sounds, but this is also a deterrent. With loud sirens attracting attention to your property, intruder and thieves will be more likely to flee without damaging your property further.
Strong Deterrent
Uninterrupted Functionality
There are two main types of alarm systems: wired and wireless. The main difference is that wireless systems operate on batteries, rather than mains electricity. This means that wireless systems are protected against power outages, providing uninterrupted functionality.
However, wired systems also have their benefits. Taking power straight from your mains supply, there is no need to recharge any batteries or replace them. This also provides continuous use, but, again, is prone to interruptions if your electricity goes down.
Special Alarm Systems
Specialised alarm systems allow you to monitor your home or property while you aren't there. In most cases, these advanced systems include those that can detect fire or smoke. Therefore, if any emergency occurs at your property, you'll be notified immediately. These systems offer more comprehensive protection for your property, but will naturally be more expensive to buy and install.
Can Relocate
Most alarm systems can be disconnected from one location in your home and installed in another. It is just as easy to disconnect and relocate wired alarms as battery-powered ones. This offers you more versatility when it comes to protecting different areas of your home from intruders.
Disadvantages of Alarm Security Systems
Now we've gone over the many advantages of security alarm systems, it's only fair to look at the disadvantages. These systems are designed with practicality and protection in mind, so it's not surprising that there are fewer disadvantages than advantages.
False Alarm
Since your alarms are constantly monitoring your property, it's a common issue that your alarms ring when you or your family members enter your property. Even when there are no intruders, your alarms can ring on their own for no reason. This can be frustrating, especially if you can't find what is randomly triggering them.
Expensive
Any type of alarm system you choose, depending on the size of your property, can be significantly expensive. There's the initial investment when you purchase the alarms themselves, then you have to add installation costs and subscriptions to monitoring services on top.
Can be Stolen
Ironically, while a visible alarm system can deter criminals, it also makes it easier to steal. Wireless alarms are especially vulnerable to theft since they are easier to disconnect and carry away. But even wired alarm systems can be disconnected by burglars who know what they are doing.
However, you shouldn't discourage you from installing an alarm system for your home. They still offer fantastic protection against intruders. Since homeowners began installing alarm systems on their properties, burglary rates in the UK have fallen dramatically, proving they are effective at deterring crime.
Wireless v Wired Alarms
Security technology is advancing all the time. But one of the most significant advances in recent decades has been wireless connectivity. The same technology that allows you to reach the internet via your Wi-Fi also allows you to monitor your home with wireless security systems.
Wireless alarms are the product of these innovations, helping homeowners keep a closer eye on their properties. But there are benefits to having wired systems as well. So, how do you choose between them? Here we've listed the differences between wired and wireless alarms.
Wired Alarms
Wired alarms, as the name suggests, involve connecting all your alarm censors to a central control panel through wires. This is a traditional method of fitting alarms that you're likely to find on most properties. Installing a new wired system or replacing your old one is relatively straightforward. It is also possible to hide the wires within your walls to both protect your alarm system and maintain the aesthetics of your home.
In some cases, replacing your hard-wired system can be disruptive. There can be additional costs for plastering or hiding wires within your walls. However, one of the main advantages of this system is that they are far more reliable than Wi-Fi-connected systems.
As you can imagine, one of the main disadvantages of these systems is the cost. Every part of the alarm system, from censors to alarms, has to be connected to the central control panel. This also means installations can take much longer for wired systems, adding to your overall costs. Depending on the size of your property and the number of alarms you want to install, costs for wired systems can easily start around the £1,000 mark.
Wireless Alarms
Conversely, wireless systems are much easier and quicker to install, often meaning they are also cheaper for homeowners. You might also be able to install your own wireless alarm system with a full system kit, further reducing your labour costs through your DIY skills. Wireless alarms usually start around £120 per unit.
These alarms are also much easier to relocate around your home. Therefore, if you think your sensors are better placed somewhere else, it's no trouble to move them. However, remember that these systems are particularly sensitive and can be triggered by electrical interference.
Modern wireless alarms can be controlled remotely through an app on your phone, making them easier to manage. You might also need to install a central control panel in your home as well. Wireless alarms are easier for monitoring companies to connect to, improving police response times in an emergency.
Preston Alarm Experts provides the best home security fitting services in and around Preston, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester and the North West. Whatever you require, our professional team can assist you with everything from small repairs to installing a completely new home security system.
