Home security systems assist in making your home safe and secure, giving you better peace of mind. However, there are two different types of home security systems that you can choose from, which can make it challenging to choose which security solution would be best for your home. This article will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of these home security systems.
Monitored Security System
A security company actively monitors monitored security systems, and they are also the most popular security system option for most families. Monitored security systems include yard signs, control panels, motion sensors, security cameras, or alarms. If there were a fire, break-in, or any other emergency, the security system would notify the security team and emergency responders. Below are some of the advantages of having a monitored security system:
- Convenience
The most significant advantage of using a monitored system is that you won’t have to worry about monitoring the system when you are not at home. Whether you are around or not, the monitoring of the security system will be handled by a professional security company, which ensures that you have better peace of mind.
- Comprehensiveness
Choosing a monitored security system also means that the security company will supply the security equipment needed free of charge, as that is part of the agreement. For this reason, you can ensure that the security system that you get is more comprehensive than an unmonitored security system which you would have to purchase and install all on your own.
- Proper Installation
Since you purchase the security system as part of a security plan from a professional company, that same company will monitor the security system and install the security system for you. The professional installation is beneficial for those who might not be mechanically inclined. They can be confident that the security system is correctly installed without doing any work themselves.
- Lower Insurance Costs
Another advantage that comes with using a monitored security system is that you will save money as you would receive an insurance discount. Though these discounts vary from company to company, you might be able to receive a discount on your homeowners’ insurance if you choose to install a monitored security system. You must check with your insurance agent to find out if you would qualify for the discount.
Though monitoring security systems have many advantages, there are some disadvantages and these include:
- Higher Costs
The only disadvantage of having a monitored security system is that you will have to pay a monthly fee, which might lead to higher costs. Though the prices you would have to pay for your security system would differ, as it is determined by factors including the location of your home and the type of monitoring that your home requires.
Unmonitored Security System
An unmonitored security system refers to a security that a security company does not professionally monitor. If the alarm were triggered, you might be alerted. However, it would be your responsibility to contact emergency responders. With unmonitored security systems, you would have to install the security system on your own. Unmonitored security systems will usually include motion sensors, control panels, smoke detectors, and sirens. The advantages of using an unmonitored security system include:
- Economic
The most significant advantage of using an unmonitored security system is that they cost less than monitored security systems. Compared to monitored security systems, if you were to have the security system installed by a professional, you would still pay considerably less for the installation. Unmonitored security systems are more affordable as most costs for the monitored security system are due to the monitoring service and not necessarily the equipment involved.
Though using an unmonitored security system offers economic benefits, some disadvantages come with using the security system. These disadvantages are listed below.
- Less Safe
It might be better to have unmonitored security systems than to have no security system installed. However, they don’t provide the same protection you would receive if you had a monitored system. The level of safety that comes with a monitored system is because you would be paying for the service of a team of security professionals to keep an eye on your home 24/7.
- Lack of Proper Installation
Choosing to install and monitoring the system on your own might be cheaper, and it might reduce costs, but it might not be the safest option. You might not set up the security system correctly, which will affect the way that it operates.
- Authorities Are Not Notified Automatically
If there were an emergency, you would receive an alert about it. The best outcome would be that the alarm would scare off the criminals as there would be no one to notify the authorities. Unlike with a monitored system, it would be your responsibility to call the police, which might not always be possible, mainly because if the emergency occurs while you were sleeping and you cannot hear the alarm, or if you were busy in a meeting.
Conclusion
Though monitored and unmonitored security systems have their advantages, they also have some flaws that you can expect. The security system that you end up using will depend mainly on your budget and security needs.
See What to Look for in a Home Security System.
