
He emphasized
professional monitoring for security systems: “If you receive a text alert, you may not be in a condition to respond and you may not hear an alarm. At that point, you have lost valuable response time, whereas a professional monitoring station can automatically alert first responders. ”We also contacted Kirk MacDowell, a board member with the Security Industry Association SIA and president of MacGuard Security Advisors Inc. He said a security system can act as a central heartbeat in the home. “Devices such as locks that can be opened remotely, home
light control and thermostats that can raise or lower temperature are all tied into one convenient app and then tied into the alarm, making the operation seamless. ”How we tested DIY home automated systems For each new DIY security system, we test in two areas: user experience and ease of installation. These help build a picture of a system's effectiveness and how it affects you. For user experience tests, we see what each system and its companion smartphone app can do. In our experience, the best DIY home security systems have many ways to arm and disarm so you don't always need your smartphone. They also let you use a keypad or key fob to accomplish the same goal. We look at activity feeds and the organization of the mobile app to see what information an app gives you when an alarm goes off and if the alert gives you instant info.
But some security systems also have a handsfree feature that will work with your
mobile device or a key fob to detect when you are within range of your system. And when you are within that range, it will automatically unlock your door and disarm your security system for you, handsfree. So if this is a convenience factor you’d like to have, then yes, you do need to look for a system that has handsfree options. Geotracking works similar to the handsfree feature. When geotracking is included with your home security system, it works with the GPS feature on your smartphone, as long as you have the location services enabled. This feature will detect your location as long as you have your phone with you and you can preset rules as to how you want to use that feature.

However, for multi faceted security and home automation, a home security camera – even the most deluxe available – just won’t cut it. You’ll
want to look into complete home security systems. View in galleryBudget is the first consideration of whether or not to DIY or professionally install your home security system, although it’s not the only one. Obviously, doing it yourself will save money on installation charges and then the followup subscription fees. The DIY kits available on the market are sold as kits that are easily installed and configured to meet your specific needs in your home. These kits are generally expandable, meaning that you can add components at your convenience as your needs change, although you’ll want certainly want to consider compatibility and expansion options in the early
stages of your home security system research.