http://www.hometeaminspection.ca

Home​ ​security​ ​systems​ ​101:​ ​Things​ ​to​ ​consider

Wireless​ ​vs.​ ​hardwired

Most​ ​home​ ​security​ ​systems​​ ​are​ ​hybrids,​ ​meaning​ ​that​ ​parts​ ​are​ ​hardwired but​ ​they​ ​can​ ​still​ ​use​ ​wireless​ ​communication.​ ​Matthew​ ​Ladd,​ ​president​ ​and owner​ ​of​ ​The​ ​Protection​ ​Bureau,​ ​a​ ​security​ ​system​ ​company​ ​based​ ​in​ ​Exton, PA,​ ​advises​ ​homeowners​ ​to​ ​avoid​ ​systems​ ​that​ ​use​ ​an​ ​analog​ ​phone​ ​line. Analog​ ​phone​ ​lines​ ​are​ ​going​ ​away,​ ​and​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​want​ ​your​ ​system​ ​to​ ​be obsolete​ ​in​ ​five​ ​years. Homeowners​ ​should​ ​instead​ ​choose​ ​a​ ​system​ ​with​ ​wireless​ ​communication,​ ​be it​ ​the​ ​internet​ ​or​ ​cellular​ ​backup.​ ​Telguar​ ​dand​ ​Alarm.com​ ​both​ ​work​ ​over cellular​ ​networks.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​want​ ​the​ ​best​ ​of​ ​both​ ​worlds,​ ​Ladd​ ​advises​ ​using​ ​a

http://www.hometeaminspection.ca

system​ ​that​ ​communicates​ ​over​ ​a​ ​cellular​ ​network​ ​and​ ​goes​ ​through​ ​your home​ ​internet. Having​ ​cellular​ ​capabilities​ ​ensures​ ​that​ ​your​ ​system​ ​won’t​ ​go​ ​down​ ​just because​ ​the​ ​power​ ​went​ ​out​ ​and​ ​you​ ​lost​ ​internet​ ​service.​ ​On​ ​that​ ​same​ ​note, be​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​your​ ​system​ ​has​ ​a​ ​battery​ ​backup​ ​in​ ​case​ ​of​ ​power​ ​outages. Surprisingly,​ ​many​ ​systems,​ ​Canary​ ​included,​ ​do​ ​not. Go​ ​beyond​ ​the​ ​standard​ ​alarm

Tim​ ​McKinney,​ ​vice​ ​president​ ​at​ ​ADT​ ​Custom​ ​Home​ ​Services,​ ​the​ ​largest security​ ​company​ ​in​ ​the​ ​country,​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​advances​ ​in the​ ​world​ ​of​ ​home​ ​security​ ​today​ ​is​ ​the​ ​coupling​ ​of​ ​security​ ​and​ ​automation into​ ​one​ ​designed​ ​portfolio—a.k.a.​ ​the​ ​smart​ ​home​ ​ecosystem. For​ ​example,​ ​a​ ​customer​ ​with​ ​ADT​ ​Pulse​ ​knows​ ​that​ ​when​ ​the​ ​fire​ ​alarm system​ ​trips,​ ​authorities​ ​are​ ​immediately​ ​notified,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​system​ ​can​ ​also initiate​ ​the​ ​lighting​ ​pass​ ​or​ ​exit​ ​pass​ ​for​ ​the​ ​kids,​ ​unlock​ ​the​ ​front​ ​door,​ ​and shut​ ​down​ ​the​ ​HVAC​ ​system,​ ​so​ ​it’s​ ​not​ ​pushing​ ​smoke​ ​in​ ​and​ ​throughout​ ​the home.​ ​The​ ​Nest​ ​system​ ​has​ ​similar​ ​capabilities. Sunny​ ​Eckerle

Ladd​ ​says​ ​that​ ​security​ ​systems​ ​are​ ​more​ ​than​ ​just​ ​alarms.​ ​"You​ ​can​ ​even connect​ ​your​ ​system​ ​so​ ​when​ ​someone​ ​rings​ ​your​ ​doorbell,​ ​you​ ​get​ ​notified remotely​ ​on​ ​your​ ​app​ ​and​ ​have​ ​a​ ​video​ ​and​ ​a​ ​camera​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​to​ ​the​ ​person​ ​at your​ ​front​ ​door,"​ ​he​ ​adds. For​ ​full​ ​integrated​ ​systems,​ ​Ladd​ ​recommends​ ​Honeywell,​ ​a​ ​manufacturer​ ​of security​ ​systems;​ ​Qolsys,​ ​producer​ ​of​ ​alarm​ ​systems;​ ​DSC,​ ​a​ ​world​ ​leader​ ​in electronic​ ​security;​ ​and​ ​Napco,​ ​developers​ ​of​ ​advanced​ ​technologies​ ​and high-quality​ ​security​ ​solutions.​ ​However,​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​systems communication,​ ​he​ ​believes​ ​that​ ​Alarm.com​ ​is​ ​the​ ​most​ ​comprehensive—they

http://www.hometeaminspection.ca

offer​ ​everything​ ​from​ ​energy​ ​management​ ​and​ ​home​ ​automation​ ​to remote-controlled​ ​locks​ ​and​ ​central​ ​monitoring. Consider​ ​self-monitoring

The​ ​DIY​ ​self​ ​monitoring​ ​market​ ​is​ ​becoming​ ​increasingly​ ​popular​ ​thanks​ ​to home​ ​tech​ ​companies​ ​like​ ​Canary​ ​and​ ​Nest​ ​(the​ ​big​ ​ecosystems​ ​also​ ​offer integrations​ ​that​ ​allow​ ​self-monitoring;​ ​Amazon​ ​Echo​ ​connects​ ​with​ ​Scout while​ ​Apple​ ​HomeKit​ ​works​ ​with​ ​Eve​ ​products​ ​from​ ​Elgato).​ ​Self-monitoring means​ ​that​ ​if​ ​someone​ ​breaks​ ​into​ ​your​ ​home,​ ​you​ ​get​ ​a​ ​text​ ​message​ ​or​ ​an email,​ ​putting​ ​you​ ​in​ ​control​ ​of​ ​the​ ​situation.​ ​You​ ​decide​ ​what​ ​to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​that information:​ ​if​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​contact​ ​the​ ​authorities,​ ​or​ ​pull​ ​the​ ​plug​ ​on​ ​a​ ​false alarm. Ladd​ ​cautions​ ​that​ ​this​ ​may​ ​not​ ​be​ ​the​ ​best​ ​or​ ​most​ ​secure​ ​system,​ ​however. What​ ​happens​ ​if​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​see​ ​the​ ​alert​ ​because​ ​your​ ​phone​ ​is​ ​silenced​ ​while you’re​ ​in​ ​a​ ​meeting? Ladd​ ​advises​ ​using​ ​a​ ​central​ ​monitoring​ ​station​ ​instead​ ​that​ ​has​ ​people​ ​on staff​ ​around​ ​the​ ​clock​ ​whose​ ​main​ ​purpose​ ​is​ ​to​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​your​ ​alarm.​ ​Note that​ ​there​ ​are​ ​DIY​ ​kits​ ​that​ ​include​ ​central​ ​monitoring.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​go​ ​this​ ​route, look​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Central​ ​Station​ ​Alarm​ ​Association​ ​(CSAA)​ ​certification​ ​when choosing​ ​a​ ​system.​ ​The​ ​CSAA​ ​has​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​strictest​ ​industry​ ​standards,​ ​and ensures​ ​that​ ​operators​ ​will​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​your​ ​emergency​ ​quickly​ ​and​ ​efficiently. How​ ​much​ ​does​ ​it​ ​cost?

Cost​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a​ ​determining​ ​factor​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​type​ ​of​ ​system​ ​you choose.​ ​The​ ​DIY​ ​market​ ​is​ ​certainly​ ​more​ ​affordable.​ ​Installation​ ​and monitoring​ ​will​ ​be​ ​free​ ​since​ ​you’ll​ ​be​ ​doing​ ​both.

http://www.hometeaminspection.ca

If​ ​you​ ​opt​ ​for​ ​central​ ​home​ ​monitoring​ ​system​,​ ​you’ll​ ​have​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​a​ ​monthly subscription​ ​fee​ ​to​ ​know​ ​that​ ​the​ ​authorities​ ​are​ ​on​ ​call.​ ​Some​ ​services​ ​cost​ ​as little​ ​as​ ​$10​ ​a​ ​month,​ ​but​ ​on​ ​average,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​expect​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​$30​ ​to​ ​$50​ ​per month​ ​for​ ​monitoring.​ ​Installation​ ​costs​ ​will​ ​vary​ ​depending​ ​on​ ​the​ ​company and​ ​type​ ​of​ ​setup. Do​ ​your​ ​due​ ​diligence

As​ ​customary​ ​with​ ​any​ ​new​ ​project,​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​do​ ​your​ ​research​ ​before​ ​hiring an​ ​installer​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​you’re​ ​working​ ​with​ ​an​ ​accredited​ ​and​ ​licensed security​ ​provider.​ ​According​ ​to​ ​McKinney,​ ​some​ ​states​ ​have​ ​no​ ​restrictions regarding​ ​who​ ​can​ ​offer​ ​home​ ​security.​ ​Disclosing​ ​security-related​ ​matters​ ​to the​ ​wrong​ ​individuals​ ​or​ ​company​ ​exposes​ ​your​ ​home​ ​to​ ​future​ ​vulnerabilities, he​ ​says. "We​ ​have​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​Chubb​ ​Insurance,​ ​the​ ​nation's​ ​largest​ ​insurance company​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​security​ ​services​ ​to​ ​their​ ​customers,"​ ​says​ ​McKinney. "Because​ ​Chubb​ ​has​ ​done​ ​their​ ​due​ ​diligence​ ​upfront,​ ​it’s​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​indicator​ ​to​ ​a homeowner​ ​that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​reputable."

http://www.hometeaminspection.ca

Contact​ ​Details: Toronto​ ​Smart​ ​Home​ ​Automation 41​ ​Amroth​ ​Avenue​ ​Toronto,​ ​ON​ ​M4C4H3 (647)​ ​558-1367 Website​ ​:​ ​http://www.hometeaminspection.ca Google​ ​Website:​ ​https://goo.gl/1ib4Ap Google​ ​Folder:​ ​https://goo.gl/zjp3xt Business​ ​Website:​https://goo.gl/biiVR7 Twitter:​ ​https://goo.gl/CbHTj4 Facebook:​ ​https://goo.gl/t3A6d5

Suggested​ ​Content: home​ ​automation​ ​companies​ ​Toronto smart​ ​home​ ​Toronto smart​ ​home​ ​systems​ ​Toronto home​ ​automation​ ​gta​ ​Toronto best​ ​home​ ​automation​ ​system​ ​Toronto wireless​ ​security​ ​cameras​ ​Toronto home​ ​security​ ​systems​ ​Toronto home​ ​alarm​ ​systems​ ​Toronto smart​ ​home​ ​technology​ ​Toronto wireless​ ​home​ ​security​ ​systems​ ​Toronto home​ ​security​ ​system​ ​Toronto security​ ​systems​ ​Toronto home​ ​security​ ​monitoring​ ​Toronto home​ ​alarm​ ​companies​ ​Toronto home​ ​alarm​ ​monitoring​ ​Toronto

http://www.hometeaminspection.ca

alarm​ ​systems​ ​Toronto remote​ ​home​ ​control​ ​Toronto best​ ​home​ ​security​ ​system​ ​Toronto remote​ ​control​ ​light​ ​Toronto house​ ​alarm​ ​system​ ​Toronto home​ ​security​ ​cameras​ ​Toronto home​ ​automation​ ​systems​ ​Toronto best​ ​home​ ​alarm​ ​systems​ ​Toronto cheapest​ ​alarm​ ​monitoring​ ​Toronto best​ ​home​ ​alarm​ ​company​ ​Toronto home​ ​security​ ​monitoring​ ​companies​ ​Toronto Climate​ ​Control​ ​Toronto mobile​ ​climate​ ​control​ ​Toronto home​ ​theatre​ ​installation​ ​Toronto home​ ​theatre​ ​systems​ ​Toronto home​ ​theatre​ ​installation​ ​near​ ​me​ ​Toronto lighting​ ​control​ ​Toronto residential​ ​lighting​ ​control​ ​systems​ ​Toronto commercial​ ​lighting​ ​control​ ​systems​ ​Toronto wireless​ ​lighting​ ​Toronto full​ ​house​ ​automation​ ​Toronto full​ ​home​ ​automation​ ​Toronto apple​ ​home​ ​automation​ ​Toronto house​ ​alarm​ ​system​ ​Toronto home​ ​alarm​ ​monitoring​ ​Toronto home​ ​automation​ ​system​ ​reviews​ ​Toronto home​ ​automation​ ​diy​ ​Toronto automation​ ​system​ ​Toronto smart​ ​home​ ​canada​ ​Toronto home​ ​security​ ​monitoring​ ​Toronto

http://www.hometeaminspection.ca

home​ ​alarms​ ​Toronto light​ ​control​ ​Toronto most​ ​advanced​ ​home​ ​automation​ ​system​ ​Toronto

Recommended​ ​links: https://goo.gl/VoBQMw https://goo.gl/qzETCQ https://goo.gl/SG1q8D https://goo.gl/zjp3xt https://goo.gl/1ib4Ap https://goo.gl/biiVR7 https://goo.gl/CbHTj4 https://goo.gl/QDyWbn https://goo.gl/t3A6d5 https://goo.gl/pvWTCm https://goo.gl/cqDJwM https://goo.gl/mR44sR https://goo.gl/Wdi8je https://goo.gl/YDEDPU https://goo.gl/XzZhRz https://goo.gl/2wZaob https://goo.gl/eyP6yt https://goo.gl/UnEZJL https://goo.gl/4VqJD8 https://goo.gl/t3A6d5 https://goo.gl/Hr2r36 https://goo.gl/ciZTjw https://goo.gl/FSMmyK https://goo.gl/JnQoQo https://goo.gl/x4dLGf https://goo.gl/4EUyXw

http://www.hometeaminspection.ca

https://goo.gl/aa69nM https://goo.gl/rndwzi https://goo.gl/5TP8Uf https://goo.gl/nFGTLB https://goo.gl/RVbbsj https://binged.it/2fWqjpJ https://goo.gl/DxYhHS https://goo.gl/DcHnEc https://goo.gl/jyYQKB https://goo.gl/CkrQmu https://goo.gl/PwZkxV https://goo.gl/FAj9xy https://goo.gl/2QVcQV https://goo.gl/maps/sifjuC9YAR22 https://goo.gl/6vdptX https://goo.gl/QMdsEb https://goo.gl/QCxkof https://goo.gl/MffJei https://goo.gl/YSbCPb https://goo.gl/WQxoTy https://goo.gl/nGjCWm https://goo.gl/zLzaF5