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Top 5 Reasons Why Setting up Your Own Home Alarm System Makes Sense

By:
Peter M. Rogers
|April 10, 2012Alarm systems have evolved, and today the best companies offer “next-generation” features that give you a lot more. These systems are more reliable and user-friendly, and may even cost less, and look at what they can do:
- Remote arm/disarm
- Text and email event notifications
- Free mobile apps
- On-demand and motion-activated video services
- Remote control of lights, locks, and thermostats
- Your Convenience & Safety: it’s bad enough that you have to schedule a 4-hour “window” and hope a technician shows up. Even worse, you never know who it is that’s coming into your home. Today, most people don’t want strangers in their residences, whether it’s an aggressive door-knocking salesperson, or a technician whose time is going to cost you money.
- Wireless Sensors Work: most systems being installed today, even by technicians, are based on these wireless sensors. You can monitor everything in your home: doors and windows, motion, glass breakage, fire, carbon monoxide, garage doors, water/flood, and even low temperature. These sensors communicate wirelessly to the control panel, and are regularly monitored for consistent operation and even battery life - imagine batteries that last 4-5 years, then tell you when it's time to change them! We program the sensors into your system – and even a child can put them up in minutes with the included double-sided tape. Now that’s convenience!
- Safer Cellular Monitoring: the best systems use a built-in cellular radio instead of a phone line to send the alarm to the monitoring center. That means no wiring for you – and no vulnerable phone line for a burglar to cut. Also, avoid the Internet-based alarm systems – they are just as vulnerable to a line cut as your phone line, plus you may have issues when you lose power or lose your Internet connection. Cellular monitoring should be the core of any alarm system, especially easy install.
- Programming & Remote Support: the system should be fully programmed when it arrives: no assembly required, or programming. That's right - today’s easy setup should be a true “plug & play” solution. And, the best companies (like FrontPoint) can access your system remotely to confirm it’s all working when you’re done – plus troubleshoot any issues should they arise. Expect world-class support and people who care about your protection: you deserve it.
- Adding and Moving Flexibility: you can add sensors to these systems at any time. Life safety monitoring? That should increase your insurance discount. Environmental conditions? We monitor them too. You want a system that grows with you, one that you can even move with you to your next home. And remember: look for the service providers with the best reputations – and the best prices for additional equipment.