How to Choose and Buy a Home Security System

For protection and peace of mind for your household, there is a range of home security systems available to buy online, with features and prices to suit most needs and budgets. Here are some useful hints and tips to consider when choosing a home security system.

How to Choose and Buy a Home Security System - Introduction

Home security systems are often electronically powered, and controlled via a system of motion-sensors and radio frequency signals, while others can be simple accessories to enhance the security of entrances around the house. A home security system can alert you to a break-in, fire or flood whether you are at home or away.

Although no home security system can guarantee 100% protection for your house, they will greatly improve security, may lower your insurance premium and can give you peace of mind.

One of the first things to think about is the system features that will best suit you and your home. Prices will vary according to the type of home security system you choose, but that doesn't mean that one type is always more expensive than another as certain features also have a bearing on price.

How to Choose and Buy a Home Security System - Features

Here are some home security system features that can be either individually installed, or come as part of a complete home security system:

Door alarms - From door chains to complex electronic keypad devices, door alarms are easy to install and provide a simple yet effective means of security by hindering access to the home. A door wedge alarm will alert the household if it is depressed, while a wireless keypad door alarm alerts the household when that door is opened.
Security lights - With infrared sensors, security lights are activate when anyone comes within range. Security lights are a popular feature of home security systems due to their simple yet effective impact.
Anti-tamper - An essential feature for any home security system, the facility will alert you if the system has been tampered with.
Internet/telephone control - For convenience and peace of mind, you can access your home security system control panel via the internet and telephone, or even by text message!
Zoning function - This enables the home security system to allow movement in some rooms, while keeping the sensors active in others.
Bell box - This is an external and visual alarm box that will send out a loud alarm when the home security system is activated. You can even buy a dummy bell box - it will be just an empty box but might deter intruders!
Motion sensor - Using infra-red technology, a motion sensor will alert the control panel of movement within range of the sensor, passing information on via text message, email or telephone.
Smoke detector - Detects smoke in the same way as a standard smoke alarm, but will alert the control panel and pass on the information to you via text message, email or telephone if you are away from the house.
Flood detector - Warning you of leaks, floods and water related incidents in the house, a flood detector alerts the control panel, passing information on to you via text message, email or telephone if you are out.

How to Choose and Buy a Home Security System - Types

Here are the main types of home security system:

Wired Home Security System - A wired home security system physically connects a range of sensors around the home to a central control panel. Many systems use a 'star network' design, with every sensor connected to a central control. More sophisticated home security systems use a 'bus network' design, which can be harder to override. The main advantage of wired home security systems is that it is easier to know if someone has tampered with it.
Wireless Home Security System - Easy to install and cheaper to set up, a wireless home security system usually uses lithium battery powered transmitters on each sensor, ready to alert the central control panel. Because there is very little wiring to be done, wireless home security systems are ideal if you are on a budget. However, this type of system will require frequent battery changes, in order to maintain full operating status.

How to Choose and Buy a Home Security System - Warranty and Budget

A warranty ensures repairs or replacements under certain conditions. Your new home security system should come with a warranty, and the retailer should also offer a reasonable returns policy. For expensive home security systems, it's worth considering paying a little more for an extended warranty.

It's a good idea to work within a budget when choosing a home security system, and avoid paying more for features that you won't need or that don't apply to your household. By shopping around online, comparing the prices of home security systems between different retailers and taking advantage of special offers and discounts, you might get a better home security system than your budget would normally allow.