Homeowners today have more options than ever. Thanks to technological advances, home security systems have new modes and options. When considering a system for your home, you’ll have the difficult decision of figuring out whether to go wired or wireless.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and when comparing hardwire versus wireless systems, it is crucial to take many factors into consideration.
Hardwired security systems have many distinct advantages. Professionals consider them more reliable than wireless systems. They are typically installed by a professional contractor, which means you can be assured in knowing that the installation was done correctly. They are usually less visible and therefore more aesthetically pleasing than wireless systems. Most importantly, hardwired systems don’t depend on batteries if you want power failure backup protection.
However, wireless systems have their perks. They avoid the expensive and often time consuming work of wiring and are able to be easily relocated. Some are even set up to record a voice message by the homeowner or others and are able to call programmed numbers, in the event of an alarm.
Hardwired security systems are typically more expensive and there are problems that can arise when installing sensors as some walls are difficult to wire. On the other hand, wireless systems require the periodic replacement of batteries, and they can be vulnerable to electromagnetic interference in some particular locations.
Keep in mind, a hardwired system uses wires that are installed inside the walls of your home, and they are installed in order to make them easily placed underground. You must then connect all of the sensors to a central controller, which is usually armed with a keypad used for arming the alarm, and for turning it on and off. Typically, hardwired home systems use power from the home AC power wiring as their primary source. Use a rechargeable battery as a backup power source for your hardwired system in the event of an emergency.
