Wireless Home Alarm Security Systems: Pros & Cons

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By Ara Rubyan

Some other drawbacks of wireless home security systems:

• The transmitters can be pretty bulky, which means they're not to be aesthetically pleasing.
  Hey -- weren't we trying to get rid of ugly wires?
  
• The batteries in the transmitters need to be changed periodically.
  And you thought changing the batteries in your smoke alarms was a hassle?
  
• Many systems will not tell you if the transmitter is no longer working.
  The only thing worse than a false alarm is...no alarm.
  
• Worst of all, wireless devices are very brand- and frequency-specific.
  This means that any additional equipment you buy and want to install must be matched exactly to the equipment you already have. This limits your choices and could increase your costs or even make upgrading the system not feasible. This may happen because the equipment may not even be available anymore -- after all, technologies change and advance all the time. You may own an obsolete technology.

Advantages of hardwired systems

Hardwired security systems can use equipment from multiple different manufacturers quite easily. This means you can swap out an older device for a newer, more sophisticated one with no technical limitations.

In addition, hardwired devices are less expensive, unit for unit, than wireless sensors.

Devices connected to a hardwired system are smaller and less obtrusive. Of course, the wiring may be unsightly. But a skilled installer can usually solve that problem for you.

And, with hardwired devices, you don't have to worry about changing the batteries.

After all that, why would you want to install a wireless home security system?

Sometimes you don't have a choice.

• If you have no basement (or you have a finished basement)
  
• If you have no attic (or you have a finished attic)
  
• If cosmetic appearance is more important than final cost

Conclusion

In general, a hardwired system is preferable to a wireless system. There are exceptions of course. For example, if you have no attic or basement to run the wires through, then the wireless system is probably the best choice. If that is not the case then go with a hardwired system.

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