When searching for a home security system, there are many choices to make, from whether to just get a sturdy lock to go all out and get an alarm and monitoring system. If you’re choosing to go the latter route, there are still different companies to choose from, and it can be hard to make that final decision. Out of these, though, ADT home security systems are often a great choice due to their comprehensive monitoring systems, cost, and guarantees of safety. An exploration of these will show just why ADT home security systems are considered to be so great. ADT home security systems work like most monitoring systems; when one of the alarms is tripped, be it a window sensor, the door opening without the alarm being disarmed, or even if a one-touch response button is touched on one of the alarm keypads, the ADT home security system will make attempts to contact both the house owners to determine if they are home, and if they can’t get a hold of the owners, they will call the local authorities.
And ADT home security can monitor for more than theft.For additional fees, ADT can monitor against fire, carbon monoxide, and even flooding and freezing pipes. ADT wants to help you get needed responses for any sort of emergency, and even the most comprehensive package costs only about as much as cellular phone service for the monthly fee.
The Guarantee
ADT is confident in the ability of its systems to protect you, and because of this, they provide multiple guarantees on ADT home security systems. In the event that your house is still broken into despite their system being in the home, they will pay your insurance deductible, so they’re willing to put some of their money at risk to ensure that you’ve been protected.They also give you a full six months to decide if you like their systems, so they’re willing to bet that you’ll decide during this period that their installation was great and that there aren’t problems with false alarms.
And if that’s not enough, ADT home security increases the confidence of many insurance companies; if you purchase ADT home security, the company will work with you to obtain a discount on your homeowner’s insurance.That discount can help to offset some of the cost of your monthly security fees, so ADT has an interest in seeing you save money on insurance. With a low price, comprehensive monitoring, and their several guarantees, ADT home security should be your first stop in the search for a home security company.
Filed under Home Security Guide by on Apr 26th, 2009. Comment. 
Security systems use the home telephone line to transmit alarm
signals to the central monitoring station. This is accomplished by connecting
a 4-conductor wire between the security panel and the main phone company’s box.
It is very important that the connection is made the right way to achieve what is called line seizure. It ensures that a dial tone is available for the security system to call out on . Without line seizure a burglar could cause a busy signal by calling the home or by taking the phone of the hook. This would keep the company providing your home security service from receiving any signals.
The alarm technician is supposed to connect the incoming telephone line to the security panel first and then feed the home phone line from the security panel. You should double check to see if this has been done
Have you recently changed to phone service to VOIP?
A call to the alarm company is needed to check the phone connection to the security panel. Many times the cable company will disconnect the phone connection to the
security system and attach it to their equipment. The homeowner doesn’t realize there is a problem because there is no apparent change to the phone service.
Another tip to keep your home security service working. If you upgrade your Internet
connection to high speed DSL there may be a compatibility problem that can prevent
your system from dialing out. To remedy this problem you can pay your alarm
company a service call fee to come to your home and install a DSL filter.
While using your existing phone line is the most cost effective way to notify the police it does leave your home vulnerable if your phone line is cut
Burglars use this vulnerability to help cover up the crime. When the homeowner returns their initial shock turns to anger when they realize how easy the home security monitoring was defeated. The good news is that there is a solution available.
Install cellular-backup equipment to your alarm system and never worry about a cut phone line again! Adding this equipment to a home security system turns your outdated monitoring method into a ultra secure system like many banks and large business. Once installed your burglar alarm will use your phone line as your primary means of notifying the authorities but if your phone line is cut then the company monitoring your home security system will be notified through the cellular network.
Who knows the burglar may get overconfident and stay in your home longer giving
the police an opportunity to catch them. Most security companies will charge an additional fee for monitoring a home alarm system using cell-backup on top the normal monitoring fee.
Although the fees can get expensive it is well worth the peace of mind you will have knowing you and your home well protected. Check your insurance policy to see if there is a discount given for home security monitoring.
The bottom line is the phone line is the lifeblood of your home security service, you should test your system on a regular basis and make sure you notify the alarm company if you make any changes to your telephone service
The author has more than 15 years experience in the home security industry. Learn more by clicking here Home Security Monitoring
Filed under Home Security System by on Apr 26th, 2009. Comment.
Security Systems Reduce Burglaries…
Homes without security systems are about 3 times more likely to be broken into than homes with security systems.
Source: Simon Hakim, Temple University, 215-204-7476
Monitoring your home security system has never been easier but there are several things you need to consider before committing yourself to a long term monitoring agreement with any alarm company
Alarm companies don’t make the majority of their profit from selling security systems, it comes from accumulating a large base of alarm-monitoring contracts. In fact these monitoring contracts are so profitable that they are frequently bought and sold like mortgage notes.
Tip #1 Ask if they are an authorized alarm dealer or a represent a marketing company.
Marketing companies have learned to flood a market with fantastic offers on security systems with the sole purpose of selling the contracts at a profit. They often use any sub-contractor available, which can lead to poor customer service once the marketing company leaves town.
Once you find a reputable alarm company ask them to come out to your home and give you a quote. You’ll find that most will quote you a basic security system at a reasonable price. These basic security systems generally include an control panel, keypad, motion detector, a couple of door contacts, inside siren, a yard sign and warning decals
Tip #2 Make sure the equipment can be monitored by any alarm company not by just the one selling it to you.
If they use proprietary security equipment you could be left in a bind should you become dissatisfied with their service for any reason. Ademco, DSC,& Caddx are well known manufacturers and can be monitored by any one.
Some companies offer low a low installation charge of $99.00 or will give you a “FREE” security system. Many do so if you put a security sign in your yard for advertising purposes and commit to a long-term alarm-monitoring contract.
Since the installation charge doesn’t cover the true cost of the equipment and labor, you are charged a substantial monthly fee to recoup their investment. These “deals” or equipment leases aren’t necessarily bad but make it hard to evaluate the true cost to you over time.
The best way to evaluate your contract is to ask the salesman to give you a quote to purchase the security system outright and show the home alarm-monitoring fee separately. Most of the time you are better off buying the alarm system because your monitoring fee will be much less.
For example. Say for $99 your monitoring fee is $35 per month for 3 years your total cost for monitoring your home alarm is $1359.00 Your fee will remain $35 per month or even increase.
On the other hand say you pay $599.00 installation and $20 dollars a month your total cost is $1319. Not only is your overall cost less but from year 3 on your will be saving $180 per year. This savings would be better spent on upgrading your alarm system to include fire monitoring and added perimeter protection
Tip #3 Don’t pay additional charges for medical or fire monitoring.
It’s ok to pay for the equipment needed but some companies charge $2-$5 extra for these services. These options are easily programmed into the alarm system and don’t require any additional effort to monitor.
Is A Basic Security System For You?
The answer is probably not. Basic systems only cover your doors and are supplemented by the use of a motion detector. This detector is usually mounted in the main hallway to catch a burglar crossing the center of the home. If they come through a bedroom window and never pass by the motion detector, the alarm system will never sound. Imagine being home at the time this happens. Basic security systems are best used as a deterrent to a break in and to notify the authorities an alarm condition exist.
Adding perimeter protection such as window contacts or glass break detectors should be high on the list of upgrades. These types of upgrades not only activate the alarm system instantly but also will give you piece of mind while you are home.
Protect Your Financial Interest Not Just Your Home
Get all quotes in writing and make sure the quote is a binding quote.
At a minimum the following should be included in your contract.
Length of contract and if / how it renews. Does it renew automatically?
What type of notice do you have to give to terminate the monitoring agreement
Will your fee increase and is there a limit on the increase. If at all possible lock in your monitoring fee for the entire contract otherwise you could see an increase every year.Don’t be afraid to walk away on this point alone.
Do you own the equipment or is it a lease? A lease means lower initial installation cost but high monitoring fees.
Warranty:
Most of the alarm equipment comes with it’s own warranty in addition to what is offered by your company. Specify the warranty for each item so that you aren’t charged if it fails.
Also specify how long the warranty on labor is. Expect to pay some labor cost for replacing under warranty items
Service Calls
Alarm technicians are usually well trained to diagnose and fix problems with your security system. Be prepared to pay in the neighborhood of $55 per hour. The fee can seem high when compared to your original installation cost but is not out of line. Think about how much you pay for your car or computer to be worked on.
How long is the response time to service your alarm system.
48 hours is a reasonable time.
Do they provide an installation certificate for your home owner’s insurance
Many insurance companies offer a discount for monitored home security systems.
Don’t Wait Until You Have A Break-In To Get An Alarm System!
You can replace most things but you may never replace your sense of security in your own home.
The author has more than 15 years experience in the home security industry. Learn more by clicking here
Home Security
Filed under Home Security System by on Apr 23rd, 2009. Comment.