Choosing Between A Wireless & A Hard-wired Home Security System
Hard-wired systems are a pain to install when compared to the installation processes of a wireless system. Hard-wired systems, not surprisingly, require lots of wires running around your house and lots of other separate outlets that sometimes need to be in specific areas. Such is the hassle of things that need to be plugged in.
This all makes a hard wired system better for when you are just building your home though, since it allows you to place outlets in strategic areas. For everyone out there taking notes, this is what is called pre-wiring and is something that will save you a lot of time and trouble later on.
Hard-wired systems are also more technically difficult to install. Unless you're familiar with electrical work and are pretty handy with electrical tools, hard-wired systems should be left in the hands of professionals or your dealer (Your system dealer that is). These systems also require you to literally wire up your entire house and in turn is not a very easy option for many people. At least for those of us who aren't Bob Vila clones! Hard-wiring is a type of wiring that isn't very attractive to most people and is actually impossible in some houses depending on the type of walls that you have. Hard-wired systems also have many components that need to be routinely checked and secured. They also run on batteries that may need to be replaced every so often. Many dealers, however, claim that these batteries won't need to be changed for tens of years and that it won't be a problem. Other than all that though, hard-wired systems are pretty reliable.
Wireless systems are almost always the best systems and are usually state of the art mainly because of their usage of (you guessed it) wireless technology. Wireless systems don't have that many parts that need to be replaced but since it is wireless you might experience a few glitches here and there. Since wireless systems work off radio frequencies they may be set off by something as simple as a cell phone or even just a passing police car. This can be a bit annoying as you will usually never know what set off the alarm.
Wireless systems are obviously a lot easier to install than hard- wired systems and are a little more affordable and require less maintenance. Most professionally security companies will recommend a wireless system because of the ease of installation.
In the end, choosing between a wireless or hard-wired system isn't very hard given the qualities of each. Wireless systems are better in almost every aspect and can be upgraded very easily but if you feel that some of the benefits of a hard-wired system would apply to you than by all means go for it!
When installing your own system, you would do better with a wireless system rather than a hard-wired one, unless you're in the process of constructing your house and can afford the inconvenience of drilling and boring. A word of caution, though: wireless systems work on radio frequencies, and are notorious for triggering false alarms. A passing police car can trigger your alarm, and you will never discover why it went off, even if you rewire the whole system. Unfortunately, many hard-wired systems are susceptible to this kind of failure as well. Hard-wired systems also cost less than wireless ones, although the latter are undoubtedly more easy to install. With a wireless system, you need to install only one cable from your central receiver to your alarm system.
While having your system installed by the dealer, it's best to opt for a wired system. Many popular dealers like Ademco and ITI prefer wireless systems, perhaps for the ease with which they can be installed. However, there are some areas such as houses with prefabricated or molded structures which will not accept wiring, and will have to be covered with wireless access. Also, if you live in an antique home, you might not want to disturb the masonry. Most wired fittings are completely concealed, but if you're a purist, you'll know they're there!
There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems. The wireless system is not more prone to failure because of its intrinsic reliance on radio frequencies, but rather because it simply has more parts to it, and therefore more things that could go wrong.