Blog

Are All Home Security Systems the Same?

March 25, 2020|fsstechnologies

Home security used to be synonymous with burglar alarms, but this is no longer the case. Home security today is not only about protection, but also comfort, convenience, communication, and information.
 
All home security systems never were the same—there were different manufacturers, different types of equipment, and various providers. Today, there are entirely new categories of equipment and technology that fall under the broad banner of home security. The best way we’ve come up with to bucket them is under the banners of home automation, property protection, and life safety.

Property Protection

Property protection systems are the home security systems with which consumers are most familiar. These home security systems include components like alarm keypads for arming and disarming your security system when you enter and leave your home, window sensors, door sensors, glass break alarms, motion detectors, and security cameras. 
 
It used to be that home security systems were hardwired into a home, using the home’s telephone landline to communicate. Today, there are both wired and wireless home security options, giving homeowners more flexibility in placing and moving components of a security system. There are pros and cons to both types of systems, and consulting with a professional installer can help you determine which would be best for your home.
 
Another important consideration you will need to make when it comes to property protection is whether you should you get a monitored security system. A monitored home security system gives you the added peace of mind that the proper authorities will be dispatched to your property if you are not capable of assessing the situation or responding to an alarm.

Home Automation

Home automation technology is what powers the smart home. A smart home is a home where you can adjust the temperature before you leave work, talk to the delivery person at your front door, or start a pot of coffee while still laying in bed all with the touch of your mobile phone. 
 
The main issue to consider when it comes to home automation technology is compatibility. Devices, apps, and hubs from various manufacturers may not work well with one another.
 
The power and reach of your Wi-Fi network are also critical to set up a home automation system successfully. Many consumers are unfamiliar with their internet service provider and precisely what type of service they are, or are not, getting, such as upload speeds. If your internet is not sufficient, you will have a challenging installation experience (especially if you are trying to do-it-yourself), not to mention disappointing user experience.
 
Experts recommend installing a whole-home system, like Alarm.com, rather than trying to put together a smart home security system piece by piece. While there are tons of DIY home automation kits out there, professional installation is essential as you may need electrical experience to connect smart home technology with expensive components in your home like your HVAC system.

Life Safety

The third category of available home security components includes what we refer to as life safety—alarms and detectors that save lives. Life safety equipment includes things like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, water detectors, and heat detectors. This equipment is critical because, in only two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening, and in five minutes, a residence can fully engulf in flames.  
 
Also, life safety equipment can include automation components to help older adults age in their homes, like those available from Alarm.com’s Wellness. With intelligent sensors placed throughout the home, caregivers and family members can monitor activities such as how much time they spend in bed, in a favorite chair, or out of the house. Moreover, the technology can learn a person’s activity patterns and alert you if anything is out of the ordinary, such as leaving the house at odd hours. This type of equipment can also pair with Personal Emergency Response pendants.
 
With over 45 years of experience, FSS Technologies is an industry leader in providing home security systems that provide both comfort and convenience as well as peace-of-mind and protection.

For more information on designing the right security system for your home,

Contact a Security Expert Today

Explore Our Other Blogs

business-fire-monitoring-hero-min

Why Fire Alarm Monitoring is Essential for Your Business

We’ve talked about the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in previous blogs and how it is essential to understand and obey their standards when installing, testing, and maintaining fire alarm systems. Fire Alarm Monitoring is the Law Your business might need to include monitoring as part of its fire safety system due to NFPA 101® . NFPA…

Continue reading
convential-vs-addressable_fire-alarms-hero

Addressable vs. Conventional Fire Alarms

When determining what type of fire alarm systems are best for your business, it boils down to your choice between a conventional and addressable alarm system. The combination of smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors work together with your control panel to keep your business safe. Additionally, you will need to determine what kind of automatic…

Continue reading
2020-01_FSSTechnologies_blogs_ring-hack_hero-min

The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security

If you are like the rest of Americans, you have noticed that the Ring Security company has been in the news lately— and not for anything useful. Between security hacks and lawsuits, the company has landed itself in hot water. Surveillance Camera Hacks Homeowners have security cameras installed in their homes to give them peace…

Continue reading
Hero-afterbreaki-min

What to Do After a Break In

No one ever wants to be victimized by a burglar, but the fact is that many will encounter a theft or break-in at some point in their lifetime. A recent study by Bankrate shows that there are over 1 million burglaries in the United States each year, with a new burglary happening approximately every 26…

Continue reading
2020-01_FSSTechnologies_blogs_senior-citizen_hero

Best Security System Setups for Senior Citizens

According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly 90% of senior citizens want to stay in their homes as they age even if they need day-to-day assistance or have ongoing health issues like early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. Unfortunately, criminals often target senior citizens as victims. Thieves assume older people will not be able…

Continue reading
2019-06_FSSTechnologies_blog_video-doorbell-privacy_hero-min

Video Doorbell Privacy Issues

Video Doorbells In the News Video doorbells are one of the hottest home security tools on the market today. We agree. Once you have a video doorbell, you’ll probably wonder how you ever lived without it. Check out our blog on How a Video Doorbell Works to learn more. However, like any technology on the…

Continue reading
Hero-PlackageStolen

What to Do If a Package Is Stolen

According to a recent study, nearly one in four people  report being a victim of package theft and nearly half know someone who has had a package stolen.     Of course, the uptick in package theft is not that surprising, considering consumers purchased $2.86 trillion in online retail goods in& 2018. Many of these items land squarely…

Continue reading
Hero-False_Alarm

What Causes False Alarms on Home Security Systems

False alarms on home security systems are not only an annoyance for homeowners, but they take up the valuable time and resources of our local law enforcement officials. In fact, many cities and towns now charge homeowners a fee for false alarms.   In order to save you the frustration and potential financial hit, let’s look…

Continue reading
2020-01_FSSTechnologies_blogs_internet-speed_hero

How Your Internet Speed Affects Your Security System

Internet speed is a precious commodity in today’s connected homes. Internet speed is responsible for how quickly or slowly data moves from the internet to the application on your computer. Things like your mobile phone, television, computer, gaming system, and even appliances use the internet. And your home security system probably does too. The average…

Continue reading
weakness-diy-security-system-Hero-min

Cons of DIY Home Security Systems

When considering getting a home security system, some people might assume they can set up a fully functioning system themselves.     The reality is that DIY systems come with some significant drawbacks. Here are some of the things to consider before you decide to take on this project yourself. Not Professionally Installed  The importance of…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space
chat with us