Honeywell Home Security System

How Does the Security System Work?

The control panel is the heart of the system. It's usually installed in a closet or basement. It acts as a central computer where the door and window sensors send signals to the panel.

If a window or door is opened while the system is armed, the sensors will send a signal to the panel. The panel will then sound an alarm and automatically dial the monitoring station.

The motion detector that comes with the security system is a PIR (passive infrared). It senses motion and body heat when you have the alarm system armed and you're not at home. Once there is motion or body heat detected, the sensor will send a signal to the control panel. It works just like the door/window sensors.

You can also have a smoke detector connected to the system. It will be monitored by the central station. When there is smoke detected, the control panel will dial the monitoring station. A trained professional will call the fire department.

A keypad is usually installed near an entrance, usually the front and back doors. There are several different keypads offered byHoneywell Home Security. All of them are easy to use.

Once the keypad is installed, you'll create a 4-digit security code that will be used to arm and disarm the system. Make sure all windows and doors are closed before you try to arm your system. The alarm will not arm if a window or door is open.

The keypad also has several one-touch buttons that you can pre-program so that all you have to do to arm or disarm your system is push one button. Some keypads have the ability to talk.

For example, when you arm the system, the voice on the keypad will say, "System armed". Or if someone opens a window while the system is armed, the voice will say, "Window open in living room (or zone 2)".

You can also have the ability to control your security system with your touch-tone phone or cell phone. You can arm and disarm the alarm and turn the lights in your house on and off anywhere in the world by using your phone.

How Much Does a Basic System Cost?

I really can't give you a ballpark figure on how much it will cost you to have a Honeywell security system installed and monitored. That's because there are so many deals and specials going on. You can do a search on the internet and find all kinds of internet specials companies are offering.

What you can expect is to pay for the initial cost of the security system. That can be a couple of hundred dollars. There is an installation fee and then there is the monthly monitoring fee. The prices for all of this should be similar to ADT and Broadview Security.