FAQs Answered: Everything You Need to Know About Home Alarm Systems
Your home is your castle, so you want to protect your investment and enjoy peace of mind. Choosing the right security solution for your home can be overwhelming but don’t worry, this guide will answer the most frequently asked questions about home alarms in Canada.
HOME ALARM FAQs
There are several factors you’ll need to consider to guide your path to finding the best alarm for your home. Frequently asked questions anwered by an alarm expert:
How Do Home Alarm Systems Work? Generally speaking, a home alarm system is comprised of a keypad or app for arming, disarming and system status. One or more sensors are installed to detect an open door or window, motion, breaking glass, smoke, heat, water leak, etc. If the system is armed and a sensor is tripped, and the disarm code isn’t entered in time, the system will sound a loud siren. It may also notify the homeowner using an app, or contact a monitoring company to respond to the alarm.
Do-It-Yourself or Hire a Pro? Do you like doing research, creating a plan, parts list and rolling up your sleeves to get the job done? Do you enjoy do-it-yourself projects around the home? If so then a DIY alarm system may be perfect for you. On the other hand if you don’t have the time or inclination to research options, or can’t handle a screwdriver, then you’re best to hire a professional.
Professionally Monitored or Self Monitored? Your security system should help deter would-be thieves and intruders. But if something happens and the alarm sounds, what would you like to happen besides making some noise? The two main options are to have the system alert you and the family so you can check it out and call the police or fire department. Of course this assumes you’re available 24/7 with a fully charged phone at your side. Meetings, vacations, bad cell service can all cause issues with availability. If the thought of missing the alarm in case of an emergency or fire bothers you (and it should), then a professionally monitored alarm is the way to go. A monitored alarm will contact a 24/7 central monitoring station and in turn they will reach out to you, your family, neighbours, police or fire department as appropriate. Don’t worry, you can still be the first point of contact. A monitored alarm will also often qualify you for a discount on homeowner’s insurance. If you plan to have the system monitored professionally it may be better to have a pro install or at least make sure the monitoring company is OK with a self-installed system.
Do Home Alarms Call the Fire Department? No, not directly. If your plans include smoke and heat detectors to protect your home from fire, then a pro-monitored alarm is by far the smartest choice. A 24/7 monitoring station is always available to call the fire department if you don’t answer or aren’t available. How many times have you missed a phone notification or text message? Do you travel a lot or find yourself in a lot of meetings? Then there’s a good chance that you won’t be available to respond fast enough. Let the station do it for you in this case. Your home alarm can’t call the fire department directly.
Big Brand or Local Pro? If you’re going to have a professional installation and monitoring, you can consider trusted brand names like Telus or Bell. But bigger isn’t always better. Compare rates, check reviews, ask your circle of friends and do some homework. Many people like supporting smaller more local companies that may provide more personalized service, have more personal experience and let you support the local community.
Buying Online? If you’re shopping online you can check out the usual suspects like Amazon.ca or BestBuy.ca and just like with a security pro, big names aren’t necessarily better. You may decide to work with a smaller but experienced company like Aartech Canada who has been providing DIY alarm equipment in Canada for over 20 years with local support.
Do Police Respond to Home Alarms? If you want to call the police in case of an alarm at your home, you may be surprised to learn that many jurisdictions in Canada will not provide police response unless the home alarm has been verified. That may be as simple as more than one sensor being triggered – like a door sensor and a motion sensor. But in many cases, they’ll only dispatch if the alarm is verified. How? They want to know that you’ve physically confirmed the presence of bad guys at your home. This can be visual verification by way of security cameras. Or a neighbour or family member may have witnessed a smashed window, door ajar or other obvious signs of forced entry. Whatever you do, don’t run into the home to confront the bad guys!
Wired or Wireless Alarm System? Running wires all over the house can be a challenge so if your home isn’t already pre-wired for door, window and motion sensors, keypads and a siren, then a wireless system will be much easier to install. Wireless home alarms use battery powered sensors that screw-in or mount with double sided tape in some cases, making them quick and easy to install. You still need to figure out where they should be used and installed but no wires to run. Another consideration is the number of sensors and distance from the sensor to the security system wireless receiver.
Smart Home Integration: Some home alarms can be integrated with smart home speakers like Google Home or Alexa to allow for voice arming. Beyond voice assistants, your security system might integrate with a smart door lock to allow for automatic locking or notification when the door is unlocked. Or it might also connect to smart lighting to allow lights to be automatically turned on when you arrive home, or in case of a fire. There are lots of other smart home integrations that can make your home alarm even more useful. Many of these are centered around ZWave or WiFi device integration directly with the alarm system, or using an add-on from a company like Alarm.com. Pro systems tend to use Alarm.com and do-it-yourself systems are often based on ZWave integrations.
Can Google Home or Alexa Set Alarms? Some systems can be armed by voice. Voice disarming isn’t typically recommended without some way to ensure only the right people can disarm your alarm.
Smart Home or Home Alarm? Did you know that some smart home software or smart hubs can turn Zigbee and ZWave sensors into a DIY alarm system? They can also connect to locks, lights, water sensors, water valves and more for a combination of smart home and security. These systems can’t be pro monitored but if you plan to self-monitor it’s a viable option and offers the benefit of a much more robust smart home system compared to what a traditional home alarm can offer.
Do Home Alarms Deter Burglars? Yes they certainly can! As part of an overall security strategy, a home alarm can deter would-be bandits, making your home a less attractive target. Security systems, warning stickers, security cameras and other visual deterrents make criminals think twice. We also recommend keeping the home well lit, adding security lighting, keeping shrubs and bushes trimmed, and having neighbours keep a watchful eye.
Are Home Alarms Worth It? A home alarm can deter crooks, provide peace of mind and may provide an insurance discount. Saving money, discouraging burglars and providing timely fire response are absolutely worth it. The peace of mind alone can be priceless.
Budget and Time: If you’re on a tight budget, you may need to start small and grow later. A smaller system may start with only a few security sensors. If you have a larger budget you can cover more entry points and add more sensors for security, water detection and more. If you have more money than time then you’d be advised to hire a pro. But as with any other contractor you’d be wise to get 2-3 quotes and look for an installer with references or by way of a referral.
CONCLUSION
With these core questions answered you are well on your way to either selecting a home alarm system or deciding to hire an installer instead. If you have any questions please reach out and we'd be pleased to help. If you're looking for an installer you can fill out our find an installer page and we'll try to link you with one in your area.
