Home security has significantly changed over the last several years. With technology moving into our homes at a rapid pace and mobile connectivity becoming more important to homeowners, there are now more options than ever before. Home security was once just about protecting your home and family from burglary and home invasion.
Today’s security system is also about remote viewing your cameras, remotely controlling automated door locks, lights, thermostats and garage door controllers. Having systems that communicate to multiple home technologies all with convenient one touch command buttons and set schedules. We truly are moving into the “smarthome” era.
So many of our customers’ first few questions are…. “Where do I start… what are the different levels of security… and what are the costs associated with each level... what is the best home security system solution for me?"
The First Level of Home Security
The first place to start with home security is getting a monitored security system installed. The best home security systems will have adequate protection for most burglary situations.
An essential security system should include:
- Cellular connection to a security monitoring central station
- Protection devices for all the entry doors including patio doors
- A motion sensor installed to create a “trap zone” on the way to the master bedroom
- Keypad with emergency panic buttons for emergencies
- Audible siren to alert you of an intrusion and let burglars know they have been detected
- Battery back-up for power outages
- ADT sign and window decals to deter burglars from even attempting a burglary
Investment: $199 to install with $44.99 - $49.99 monthly monitoring service.
Second Level of Security
If you want to increase your level of protection from an essential security system, you will want to consider 100% perimeter protection of all downstairs doors, windows and some vulnerable second story openings. Additional back-up security equipment like additional motion sensors, glass break sensors and secondary keypads with panic buttons may want to be added.
Add these home security devices to increase your protection level:
- Add protection devices to downstairs windows and any second story doors or windows with access from balconies, roofs, sheds, etc.
- Install additional motion sensors
- Consider adding glass break sensors in areas with large pane glass or small children’s bedrooms when they are far from the master bedroom.
- Glass breaks can armed in stay and away mode or turned on even with large dogs roaming the home when your are away.
Investment: Large price range based on numbered windows, motions and glass-breaks needed. See chapter 4 for price ranges on equipment. Monthly monitoring service $44.99 - $49.99.
Next Level of Protection is Life Safety
For some customers, the life safety equipment and monitoring for these emergencies is just as important as home security. You may want to add life safety features to your essential security system before adding a lot of motions, glass breaks or windows sensors if your budget is a bit tight. It is a balance of priority of need and affordability.
Potential life safety additions:
- Install monitored smoke/heat detection
- Central station operator will call you and dispatch the local fire department when your system detects a fire
- Provides protection for pets when you are not home
- Many insurance companies give you discounts for having monitored fire protection
- Add carbon monoxide detectors
- Get flood sensors installed in laundry rooms or basements to detect water and help you stop severe water damage of your home.
Investment: Most of these life safety devices cost between $149 - $199 each. They do not change the monthly monitoring rate and can be added to any ADT system packages.
Fourth Level of Home Security is Adding Cameras
I believe for security purposes you should start with a monitored security system and then based upon your affordability start adding some cameras.
The most vulnerable area of most homes is the front door where about half of all break-ins occur. Also, many homeowners are now having more packages delivered than ever before so an outdoor camera is helpful to determine when your deliveries are occurring and keeping an eye on your things until you get home. It is important to teach family members to not open the front door to strangers, so having a camera to see who is knocking at the door provides extra security as well.
Many customers have at least one camera at the front door location, one off the garage pointing to the driveway, another in the backyard and a minimum of one indoor camera. Others have cameras around their entire property and throughout their home. The nice thing about cameras, is that you can start with one or two and add more as it is affordable for you.
One of the most beneficial aspects of the ADT Pulse cameras is they have motion detection built in. Once motion is detected, the camera will record a 30 second video clip and save it for 30 days. You can decide if you want your system to send the recorded video via text and/or email to you. I personally have our system programmed to send my wife and I a text whenever there is motion at the front door.
There are quite a few new doorbell products that have an integrated camera and some have a built in intercom. You can connect to the doorbell via a mobile device through an App. The Ring Doorbell can be connected to the ADT Pulse App which is fantastic.
Some want a professional grade camera system installed with a DVR (digital video recorder) for 24/7 recording of all events that occur. These camera systems are independent of a monitored security system and start at $3,000 - $4,000 for a quality four camera video surveillance package and you can order systems with as many cameras as you want.
Investment: $159 - $299 for each WiFi camera installed. Monitoring service is just $10 additional per month at $59.99 (can have home automation monitoring included).
The Best Home Security System Today Includes Home Automation
Home automation is becoming the norm throughout the United States. Within the next five years most American households will have a least several smarthome devices installed in their home. Soon there will be a bar code reader on your kitchen garbage can to scan items as you throw them away and automatically order them to be delivered to your home. Technology is quickly entering our homes and helping us live a more efficient life.
One of the most popular is the automated door lock which provides extra security with keyless entry and some have BumpGuard technology. These locks can be programmed to automatically lock 30 seconds after they are unlocked, scheduled to lock at a certain time or set to lock when you arm your security system to away mode. You can also remotely check to see if you door is locked or unlocked from your mobile device and lock it from the ADT Pulse App from virtually anywhere.
Thermostat control is another home automation service that many people are beginning to enjoy. Helps you save money on the cost to heat and cool your home and provides you with a comfortable temperature in your home at all times. Lighting control and garage door control are two other products people are having installed. Having the ability to manage your home all from your mobile device is increasing the desire for home technology.
Investment: $69 - $299 per automation device with installation included. Monitoring service is an additional $10 per month at $59.99 (can have video monitoring included).
Customize Your Security System
No two homes or families are completely the same. Make sure to start with the essential security system to protect your family and then consider what is most important for you to add. The best home security system is also the one installed by the best local security company. Make sure you go with a company that will help you design the perfect home security system to meet your family's needs.
If you are considering getting cameras or home automation at some point, make sure to install a security system that you can easily add to in the future. With ADT monitored security, you will want to get a system installed with an ADT Pulse Gateway Hub and Pulse III monitoring service. This package gives you the ability to add all of ADT’s smarthome devices and gives you options for future home technology products being developed.
Call us to help you customize your home security system at 1-800-310-9490.
