A reliable home security system offers peace of mind and may add value to your home. While you can have this done professionally by a local security company, it’s also possible to go the DIY route.
It’s often more affordable and not too complex to do yourself. This article explains five things you need to know to help you get it done.
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Consider Your Needs
Choosing the right system to match your needs is the most important of all. Think about the size of the area that needs to be alarmed, both indoors and outdoors.
Will you go wireless, and what’s the system’s range capability if you go this route?
Are you the owner or are you renting the house? A wireless system may be ideal if you’re a tenant, as you can remove that when you leave, and you won’t have to drill holes that’ll need to be covered up later.
Consider the number of rooms, doors, and windows where you’d like to add sensors. You may not need one in every space, rather the main living and sleeping areas and those accessible from the outside.
Think of Expansions
If you’re potentially going to expand, you’ll need a security solution with flexible functionality. Check that your central control panel can accommodate additional rooms or zones.
It’ll be better to manage an add-on in the future than to get a completely new system. You may also want to enhance it with other features such as surveillance cameras, a panic button, or smoke detectors.
Operational Ease
It’s advisable to choose a system that’s easy to operate and fits your lifestyle and set-up. If you’d like to use it while away from home, you’ll need connectivity, an app, and a smart device to manage this.
You could also do it via remote control or manually by keying in codes. Remember that pets can trigger motion detectors, and you’ll need to adjust the height of sensors or bypass some zones to accommodate their movements when you’re away.
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Installation Steps
Compare the instruction manuals of the alarms you’re considering and pick one that suits your skillset. Take note of the tools you require too. It’s usually not more than a ladder, a hammer, a few nails, and some adhesive.
Remember to check if you have compatible electrical power sockets or WiFi capacity if it’s operating on internet connectivity. If you’re stuck, you can always consult an expert or use the Honeywell Alarm Codes Cheatsheet to get it done.
Testing It
Testing the system is vital to ensure it’s working as intended and offering you the protection you need. If you’re connected to emergency response teams or another form of surveillance, you should regularly assess the connections to keep it in sync.
The owner’s manual should give you directions to test or troubleshoot your alarm to ensure everything’s working. Check for manufacturer guarantees and warranties in case something goes wrong.
Final Thoughts
Installing a DIY alarm solution is a cost-effective way to protect your assets. To be effective, it needs to suit your property’s size, your lifestyle, and have user-friendly functionality.
A complex system will be frustrating to add to your home, difficult to operate, and your alarm won’t do the job you need it to. Consider your future needs, too, and pick a version that can adapt and expand if needs be.
You must test it and know how to troubleshoot. Keep your owner’s manual handy to guide you through these steps. It’ll help you maintain your alarm over time and give you peace of mind that all’s well and in prime working condition.
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