Home Automation & Security
A home security system offers protection for your loved ones and property, as well as peace of mind. While property crime has consistently declined from 2011 through 2020 by more than 30%, according to the FBI – it's still smart to invest in protection for your home. Today’s home security systems go beyond protection with home automation features that can add convenience to your life and help to conserve energy for lower bills. These are all factors that can make the cost of these systems more attractive.
The top five benefits of a home security system are:
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Protection
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Deterrent to burglars
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Peace of mind
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Convenience and energy savings
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Reduced home insurance premiums
What Are the Benefits of a Home Security System?
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Protection
The main priority of a home security system is to protect your property and those inside it from burglary, home intrusion, fire, and other environmental disasters such as burst pipes. Professional monitoring services watch your property even when you’re not there or aware of the problem, and they can also help in a medical emergency. While a security system is a significant expense, the cost of a burglary averaged $2,661 per victim in the latest data available from the FBI, not to mention the psychological impact it can have.
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Deterrent to Burglars
Visible signs of an alarm system like stickers, yard signs, and outdoor cameras for video surveillance are proven to deter a burglar, whose crime is often one of opportunity. A UNC Charlotte study conducted by Professor Joe Kuhns of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology found that almost 60% of burglars planned the break-in for less than 24 hours prior to attempting it. Plus, 83% looked for signs of an alarm first, and more than half said they would give up if they saw one.
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Peace of Mind
With a home security system installed, you can achieve some peace of mind knowing your home is protected whether you're away or sleeping soundly. With modern wireless security systems connected to the internet, you can also check in on your home from anywhere in the world.
Convenience and Energy Savings
Modern home security systems feature home automation capabilities that offer convenience and energy savings, which helps justify the extra cost of a security system. Smart lights and thermostats paired with a security system can adjust themselves to save energy when the system is armed, while smart door locks and connected garage door openers can give you a secure way to let friends and family into your home.
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Reduced Home Insurance Premiums
Many homeowners insurance companies offer a premium discount of 5% to 20% if you have a professionally monitored security system installed. The higher discounts are usually for systems that include environmental monitoring to detect fire, smoke, and water damage, in addition to intrusion monitoring. While this won’t cover the cost of a professional system, it will help make it more affordable in the long run. Additionally, video footage from surveillance cameras can help when it comes to filing insurance claims.
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Are Home Security Systems Good for Home Protection and Family Safety?
Home protection and family safety are the primary purposes of a home security system. While this includes detecting burglary, a security system also detects a number of other threats, including smoke, fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and water damage. Whether you self-monitor or pay for professional monitoring, you can know if there’s danger in your home, wherever you are.
A professionally monitored security system will call emergency services for you if a smoke or flood sensor is activated, whether you are home, away, or asleep. It’s worth noting that you have to buy the security company’s equipment in order to get professional monitoring of smoke and water sensors, which is not included in standard packages and comes at an additional cost. Home protection and family safety are the primary purposes of a home security system.
Many wireless home security systems work with a smartphone app, a convenient way to keep tabs on your family and pets. For example, the door sensors and motion sensors designed to alert you to someone sneaking around your property can also alert you when your child gets home from school, or tell you whether your elderly mother got out of bed that morning.
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