Aug 8, 2011

10 Benefits of Home Alarm Systems

People often tend to assume that the sole purpose of home alarm systems is to warn homeowners of a robbery or of a break-in by burglars. While that may have indeed been the case even a few years ago, home alarm services these days are considerably more sophisticated and offer a much broader palette of services than before. Here in no specific order are the Top 10 benefits of home security systems.

Monitoring for Burglars
One of the primary uses of home systems continues to be for burglary monitoring purposes. With a home alarm system you get round-the-clock monitoring of your doors, windows and the living area inside your home. In the event of a break-in, the installed service will quickly sound an alarm and also instantly notify the monitoring center of an emergency.
Fire Alarm Monitoring
Home alarm systems these days can be easily and inexpensively tweaked to provide additional monitoring for fire and smoke. The same installed unit that provides burglar alarm monitoring can be used to warn residents and the fire department of a fire or of dangerous levels of smoke in the house. Learn more about Fire Alarms.
Carbon Monoxide Monitoring
Many home alarm providers offer carbon monoxide monitoring as part of their overall suite of services. Often the cost involved in signing up for these services is relatively small while the benefits are huge. Carbon monoxide monitoring systems basically contain sensors that can detect the presence of elevated levels of carbon monoxide inside a home and generate alarms to warn residents and first responders of the silent threat.
Personal Emergency Response System
A growing number of security monitoring companies have begun offering personal medical emergency services as part of a home alarm package. Such services are aimed largely at the elderly, the home-bound or those living alone in a home. Medical emergency response systems are designed to be used by individuals to quickly alert healthcare professionals, care givers and loved ones of a personal medical emergency.
Home Alarm Systems Can Lower Insurance Rates
Home insurance companies often offer substantial discounts for homeowners who have installed a home monitoring system. Research has consistently shown that homes which are protected by home alarm systems are far less likely to be robbed. This has resulted in many insurers charging lower rates for homes protected by such systems.
Home Resale Value Increases
A home with an installed home alarm system is likely to fetch a higher resale price than a comparable home without such a system. A growing number of homeowners these days view a home monitoring system as essential and are often willing to pay higher for a home that is fully pre-wired for security monitoring services.
Home Alarm Systems Can Warn of Flooding
People in low-lying areas and those situated in areas that get a lot of rain often have to deal with water damage resulting from basement flooding. Many home monitoring services these days have begun offering a water sensor option that is designed to warn homeowners about the presence of water inside the home.
Freeze Sensors
Extreme cold can sometimes cause water inside pipes to freeze and to expand. This sort of freezing can cause pipes to rupture, resulting in hundreds and even thousands of dollars in damages for homeowners. Home monitoring services have begun offering a freeze sensor option that can help homeowners avert such a situation by warning them when water is likely to freeze inside a pipe.
Wireless Home Monitoring Systems Offer More Flexibility
Most home monitoring services are performed via traditional phone lines. However, almost every major home monitoring service these days also offers a wireless monitoring option. Wireless monitoring services can be used by homeowners to control lights and temperature inside their homes, to operate garage doors, program TVs and manage any other appliance that can be controlled remotely.
Peace of Mind
One of the biggest advantages of home monitoring systems is the peace of mind that it offers to home owners. Residences that are protected by home alarm systems have been conclusively shown to be safer and more secure than homes that are not protected by such systems.

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Installing a Home Security System?

Did you know that installing a security system is not only a great way to minimize the risk of a break-in or burglary, but it can also lower your home insurance payments? Insurance companies recognize that homes are indeed more secure when they have a home security system installed by one of the top alarm companies.

TopAlarmCompanies.com offers quotes from only the best, most well known business and home security companies. By working with leading providers like FrontPoint, Vivint, GE, Pinnacle, Smith & Wesson, and, of course, the ADT Security Systems Authorized Dealer Program, we can assure you that we are providing quotes from the highest rated security companies in the business.

Not to mention, these six companies use state-of-the-art technology to keep up with the changing market. Features like wireless alarms and touch screen control panels are what consumers want, and these companies offer them along with expert technicians and a skilled customer support staff.

Protect America has been given a five star rating for four years in a row by TopConsumerReviews.com. With their line of affordable home security packages starting at about $30 and free installation, Protect America is offering home security at a price most Americans can afford.

Vivint is one of the most modern, high-tech home security companies. With services that integrate your security system with energy management and home automation, Vivint makes a compelling, "green" option for people that want a top home security company.

ADT Security Systems - ADT is certainly the largest and most well known security provider. Not only do they work with homes and businesses, but their security services are so sophisticated that government agencies also use them.

Protection 1 trails only ADT in the number of customers it has in the US. And, with 60 branch offices, Protection 1 also has locations in nearly every US state, making them a home and business security company that you can even contact in person if need be.

FrontPoint Security touts that their wireless security systems are "virtually undefeatable." The company also notes that it has no hidden fees, all the while providing modern, high-tech home security features like a security app for your smart phone.

Security Networks boasts an A+ Better Business Bureau rating is just one indication of the great customer service they offer. Making use of services like WeatherNet for alerts on dangerous weather, and IDnet for identity protection, Security Networks truly strives to make all aspects of your life more secure, not just your home.