Choosing The Right Equipment Tips

Read these 4 Choosing The Right Equipment Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Home Security tips and hundreds of other topics.

Choosing The Right Equipment Tips has been rated 4.0 out of 5 based on 5 ratings and 1 user reviews.
Should I have the equipment installed by a technician?

Getting the Alarm System Up And Running

Choosing the right home security equipment is like the recipe for a great meal. The installation of that equipment is the equivalent of putting all those ingredients together and cooking the entree.

You have to make sure that everything is installed properly so each component of your home alarm system does its part of the job. If there is one weak link in the fence the whole thing becomes vulnerable.

This is why it is important to do things right the first time around and then test the equipment regularly. You want to know that the system is in working order, not just assume that it is. Because when you assume … well, it changes from one word to a couple.

If you are unsure how to install something, let the professionals handle it. While the devices are being installed, pick the technician's brain about the best ways to conduct routine maintenance and keep your system at peak performance.

If you ever notice any problem or lack of efficiency in your home security, contact the alarm company right away and bring the issue up with them. It is better to call and ask a question than ignore a potential problem and give an advantage to burglars.

   
Do alarm systems have to clutter my house?

Wireless Alarms Cut Back On The Clutter

A home alarm system does not have to detract from the look of your house. Whether you call it the Wireless Age or the Digital Age, today's manufacturers are cutting back on the clutter and throttling forward on the performance.

Just look at the options available today for home security. Motion detectors? Glass break detectors? Flood sensors? What's the common theme here? They are all wireless.

Your entire alarm system can be based on a series of wireless sensors and transmitters that are small and easy on the eyes. Home security cameras get smaller and smaller every year. They don't have to cramp your decorative style, and there is no need to have cables running across the floor or up the walls in every room of the house.

The range of these transmitters has dramatically improved over the years, allowing a glass break detector from upstairs at the opposite end of the house alert your command station to a breach.

Security companies are making it possible for you to protect your home from burglars, fire, water and the whole nine yards without making it look like you live in Circuit City.

   
Does all my equipment have to be from the same company?

Equipment Compatibility: Know What You're Buying

Before you know what you should buy you need to know why you are buying it and how it will be used. Outdoor motion detectors have specific ranges that they can cover. A yard that is 800 square feet will need more sensors, or at least a much stronger one, than a 200 square-ft. yard.

Take some measurements and figure out how large the area is you want to cover. Then shop around for sensor that will get the job done. It is better to go with a well-known manufacturer when buying items like this. They are usually more reliable and come with better guarantees.

The other major issue is compatibility. Make sure that the equipment you purchase is capable of working well with your home alarm system. The first place you should look into for additional equipment is the company you bought the alarm from in the first place.

Even if you spend a few dollars more, having components made by the same manufacturer can help avoid many problems. Remember that not all equipment is made equal and while price may be a factor, performance has to come first with home security equipment.

   
Can flood sensors work with my home alarm system?

Flood Sensors & Your Home Security System

Flooding can happen before you know it and cause serious damage to your home. If your house or the area you live in is prone to flooding there is an easy way to stay on top of it.

Flood sensors can work directly with your home alarm system to notify you of early signs of flooding. This allows you to start taking steps to prevent water damage before it happens.

If you are not home the alarm will notify your monitoring service and they can contact and inform you of the potential flood. This gives you the opportunity to get home and stop the problem before it gets out of control.

Place the sensors in areas where flooding might occur, like the floor of your basement or near a hot water heater. They can also be placed in the kitchen or bathroom to detect leaks and early signs of water damage to floors and ceilings.

This is an issue that most people do not realize their home security equipment can help them with. Many homeowner insurance policies do not automatically include coverage for flood damage. Flooding can cause you just as much in losses as a burglar can, so use a sensor compatible with your alarm system and protect yourself from both.

   
Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Home Security Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Patricia Walters-Fischer