Pick the Home Alarm System That's Right for You

19 May 2011 | 04:40 PM ET | Sue Marquette Poremba, SecurityNewsDaily Contributor

CREDIT: Dreamstime

Patti Misuraca, co-owner of Pinnacle Alarm in Ione, Calif., has been in the alarm-installation business since 1996.

For most of those years, the company's primary focus was the installation of fire alarm systems in urban situations. Lately, however, there has been a shift in her business.

"We're getting more calls to install home alarm systems," Misuraca said.

Many of those calls are coming from rural areas, she added, where residents are concerned about an increase in crime.

Misuraca attributed the uptick in sales to the recession.

"We're hearing stories of people finding trespassers on their property, stealing aluminum cans from recycling bins," she said.

FBI statistics show that property crime actually decreased in the first half of 2010. Yet, according to the Electronic Security Association, member firms saw sales rise by an average of 1.7 percent in 2010.

Perhaps the two statistics are related — there may be less crime happening because property owners have become more vigilant. Or perhaps the increase in home alarm system installation is due to improved technology at more affordable costs.

Whatever the reason for wanting to install a home alarm system, Misuraca offered some tips to ensure that a property owner gets the right system for his or her needs.

First and foremost, decide what you want the security system to monitor. This will enable installers to direct property owners to the right system for the situation.

"Some people want to monitor their entire property for intruders," Misuraca said, "but others simply want a system to make sure their teenagers aren't sneaking out at night."

Consider what you want the system to do. Should it merely scare off potential intruders, such as with a loud alarm? Or do you want it to contact an emergency response center?

Do your homework on the different options available. Misuraca believes a motion sensor is enough for the average home owner, but you may have a reason to install a security camera as well.

There are a number of different types of camera options available, from day/night high-definition versions to cameras that record audio along with video. There are also different motion sensors available.

Ask where the external monitoring center will be located. "If the alarm goes off in rural California, is the alarm dialing into a dispatch in New York City or is it dialing into a local location?" Misuraca asked. Where the system-monitoring center is located can affect response time.

Look at the overall cost of ownership. Some companies lure in customers with a low installation fee, but then lock them in with lengthy, expensive, often unnecessary service contracts. Find out all of the costs involved and ask what different payment options are available.

Have the dealer demonstrate the system. Misuraca said a reputable alarm system dealer will be able to demonstrate how the system works and how easy it is to monitor.

Shop around. "You want to make sure the dealer is reputable, because there are a lot of shady installers out there," Misuraca said.

Misuraca suggested meeting not only with large national dealers, but also with small, mom-and-pop local shops. Each company brings something unique to the table, she said.

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