Security is the black sheep of the home electronics business. Rarely do people want a system, but the fact is, they need one. For years, security systems have protected our homes and families from burglaries and fire, giving us comfort and peace of mind.

While security systems still protect homes admirably, they have matured tremendously over the years to offer a host of other benefits. They can now turn lights on and off, readjust a home's thermostats, and alert your pager or cellphone to any suspicious activity, including not only break-ins and fire, but also water leaks and drastic drops in the indoor temperature. Even though they've taken on more tasks, they are extremely simple to operate. It's no wonder security systems are one of the most popular electronic amenities offered by homebuilders.

Why Your Home Needs It

Protection. Offering a safe and secure environment is the primary job of any home security system. Although systems can perform a variety of tasks now, manufacturers haven't skimped on their products' abilities to fully protect a home and its family. Sensors that detect the opening of a door or window and motion inside or outside the house are more sensitive than ever, and the system's ability to respond is faster and more efficient. A professionally installed security system can also respond to other types of conditions that can damage a home, such a dramatic drop in a home's temperature or a leaky pipe.

Peace of Mind. Most break-ins and other home emergencies happen when nobody is home. That's why many security systems include a dial-out feature that transmits an alert message automatically to a series of phone numbers. These numbers can include your cellphone, your pager, a professional monitoring company, even the phone of a trusted neighbor. The end result is the peace of mind of knowing that your house is okay. The line is always open, so you can call in whenever you like to hear a status report. For example, you could call the system to double-check that you closed the garage door or that the kids locked the front door on their way out to the bus stop. If the system is designed appropriately, you could lock the doors by pressing a few buttons on any telephone in the world. Alternatively, you could visually inspect your house and make adjustments from a secure "home security" Web site.

Convenience. The ability to lock doors, disarm certain sensors, turn lights on and off and adjust a home's temperature from a telephone, a computer or a wall-mounted keypad screams convenience. All of these activities can be programmed by a professional installer to occur at a certain time of day, so even if you forget to hit the "away" button, the system always remembers what to do. A security system can also eliminate the time you used to waste waiting for the cable guy, the plumber, and other people to arrive at your house. There are at least two ways to minimize the wait: You can give the visitor a temporary passcode that's effective for only a certain period of time, or you can unlock the door remotely via your cellphone or computer.

Comfort. There's no better comfort than feeling safe and secure in your own home. You'll be able to totally relax now that there's a highly reliable system monitoring the house 24/7.

What Kind of System?

Security systems vary dramatically in their capabilities, and price is usually a good indicator of the better system. A $99 system, for example, might come with just a handful of door and window sensors -- not nearly enough to fully protect a large home. A $3,000 system, by contrast, will probably include more than enough sensors, plus the ability to operate a home's heating/cooling system, its lights, and other devices. It will also be able to dial any predetermined number of phones in an emergency, and offer a means to monitor the condition of the house remotely. Make sure you discuss all of the many possible functions of a security system with a home systems installer or security installer before you commit to a particular system.

Another key differentiator is a system's means of communication. The majority of systems communicate with sensors over dedicated low-voltage wiring. Other systems transmit and receive signals from sensors via wireless radio-frequency airwaves. The latter is used primarily in existing homes, due to its ease of installation. For a home that's being built, stick with a wired system.

The Necessary Steps

See if your homebuilder offers a security package. If he does, determine exactly what the package includes -- number of sensors, remote monitoring capabilities, 24-hour monitoring service from a professional monitoring station are a few key items. If the package seems a little skimpy, ask for something beefier. In most cases, the builder's security contractor will be happy to oblige -- for a fee, of course.

Inform your interior designer and landscape designer of your plans to incorporate a security system into your new house. It's possible that a piece of furniture or a shrub could interfere with the performance of a motion sensor, for example. Likewise, the style of sensor could clash with the exterior or interior design. By communicating with each other early, they can avoid problems.

Remember, many security installers are trained at installing systems besides security. Let your security installer know if you're interested in whole-house music and lighting control, for example. It's very possible that he could also install these systems and coordinate their functions with that of the security system. For example, a home button on the security keypad could not only disengage the sensors, but turn on a few lights and the stereo system.

In the end, your input is critical to the design of a security system. If it doesn't fit your lifestyle and is difficult to operate, you simply won't use it. Therefore, the security installer will need to know about your family's routines and schedule. For example, do you get up and go to bed at the same time every day, or does it fluctuate? Do you have children who will need to operate the system on their own? Your answers will ensure that the system is one you use and appreciate every day.

Top Of Page