Home Improvement : Installing Home Alarm System
QUESTION: I’m considering installing a do-it-yourself burglar alarm system in my home so I needn’t keep on as many outdoor and indoor lights. Do these systems use much electricity and can I really install one myself?
ANSWER: The new do-it-yourself “wireless” home security systems are effective and are very easy to install yourself. Most operate on 9-volt batteries. You can buy an inexpensive starter system and add more door, window and motion sensors later. If you move to a different house, you can take the entire system with you.
Systems where the main unit plugs into the wall use only 6 watts of electricity. This is much less than using numerous outdoor floodlights.
In addition to protection against burglaries, an alarm system can notify others if there is a health emergency or you need help. There is an “emergency” button on the remote control which triggers the siren for help.
There are many new types of easy-to-install wireless systems available. The most sophisticated ones can have from one to 16 different door, window and motion-detecting sensors monitored by a main control unit. If a sensor detects a break-in, the alarm sounds and it indicates which door or window.
These wireless systems utilize radio frequency communication between each sensor, the remote control and the main control unit. If a burglar enters your home, the tripped sensor transmits a signal to the main control unit. This signals you, sounds a loud siren and can switch on lights. This often scares off the burglar before he even gets inside your home.
For added security, you can add an automatic telephone dialer to the system. One dialer makes several different tones which identifies the problem to the person at the telephone number you select. Another, more-expensive dialer, has pre-recorded messages describing your needs--break-in, health emergency, fire and so on.
A “supervised” burglar alarm system is best. The main control unit regularly checks each sensor for proper operation. It will indicate, often with a flashing light and sensor number, when a battery is weak.
There are also self-contained battery-operated motion-detecting sensors. A very loud siren is built into them. You can mount these in rooms with valuables or at the base of the stairs or hall leading to your bedrooms.
Another type of motion-detecting sensor screws into a standard outdoor light socket. It only switches on your high-power floodlights when motion is detected. These can also send a signal to switch on indoor lights.
One new inexpensive unit is an adjustable locking rod and battery-powered alarm. You fit it above a double-hung window or in a sliding patio door. If it is moved after being set, it sounds an alarm and lights up brightly.
You can write to me at the address below for Utility Bills Update No. 186 showing a buyer’s guide list of manufacturers of do-it-yourself wireless alarm systems and descriptions of the systems they offer. Please include $1 and a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope.
More Registers Offer Even Air Distribution
Q: I’m building a house with central heating and air-conditioning. How many return registers are needed for the best efficiency?
A: The optimum number of return registers depends on the house design. Generally, more return registers are better for even air distribution. This is especially true if you close off unused rooms. With too few return registers, you can create negative pressure areas and increase air leakage.
