Choosing Between Wired and Wireless Home Security Systems

When you’re looking at home security systems, one of the first decisions you’ve got to make is whether to go wired or wireless.

The thing is you can’t make that decision from inside the store. There are factors you need to take into consideration while you’re at home. You need to be able to take a good, hard look at how your home is constructed, make some measurements, and think about how you would want the system laid out.

There are some distinct advantages to a wired alarm system. They can include:

• Pre-wired homes. Many new homes are already wired with the necessary wires to be able to install an alarm system. If you’ve already got the wiring, you can save a ton of money on installation.
• Wired alarm systems aren’t as prone to interference. As long as your wires aren’t run long-ways across fluorescent lights, you’re in good shape.
• Wired home security systems can cover greater distances. The components don’t need to be as close to one another.
• Systems are cheaper, at least when you don’t require construction or need to have professional installation.

Wireless systems have their advantages, too:

• Wireless security systems install much more quickly and are easier to put in than a wired system.
• Wireless systems are more adaptable. As you add components, you don’t need to run any new wires. If you want to move a component, you simply move it. You don’t need to reconfigure everything, as long as you’re within the proper distance.
• You can take a wireless home security system with you when you move to another home. While you could certainly take the components of a wired system, you’d need to run new wires, at a minimum.
• In cases where construction or professional installation is necessary, a wireless alarm system will save you money.

Overall, the choice is a balanced one. It depends on a number of factors in your home. The good news is that both wired and wireless home security systems can keep your home protected, and can do so for a fairly reasonable price.