Home security systems are an essential part of homeownership. They provide peace of mind and protection against intruders. However, there are two types of home security systems: passive and active.
Passive home security systems rely on motion sensors and cameras to detect intruders. These systems are usually cheaper than active home security systems.
Active home security systems use a variety of methods to protect your home. They can be expensive and require professional installation.
In this article, we will compare the pros and cons of both types of home security systems.
What is Active Home Security?
An active home security system uses various technologies to prevent or deter potential burglars from entering your property. It may include door locks, window alarms, video surveillance, intrusion detection devices, etc. An IDD detects movement in areas where people should not be moving. For example, it could alert you if someone enters through a sliding glass door that has been left open. The alarm company then contacts law enforcement so they know who broke into your house.
The most common type of active home security system includes one or more entry points with electronic access control mechanisms such as deadbolts, peepholes, keypads, card readers, biometric scanners, etc. A burglar would need physical access to these entry points before he or she can enter your home. If any of them have been tampered with, the intruder cannot gain entrance. This makes them ideal for protecting homes with high-risk features like swimming pools, garages, sheds, etc.
The second type of active home security technology involves perimeter monitoring. Perimeter monitors look out over large expanses of land and watch for suspicious activity. When something happens, they send alerts to your phone or computer. You can view live footage via your smartphone app or website. Some companies offer 24/7 coverage while others only cover certain times during the day.
How Do Passive Home Security Systems Work?
Most passive home security systems consist of motion detectors and cameras. Motion detectors sense when objects move within their range. Cameras record what’s happening inside your home. Both work together to help keep your family safe.
Motion Sensors
These small gadgets monitor whether anything moves around your home. Most come equipped with infrared lights that emit invisible beams of light. IR sensors pick up those beams and determine how far away each object is based on its size. Cameras
Cameras capture images using visible light. They also take pictures at night by using infra red lighting. Infrared LEDs allow the camera to see things even though they aren’t directly lit by sunlight.
Why Use Passive Home Security?
There are many reasons why passive home security systems make good choices for families. Here are some benefits:
1. Easy Installation
You don’t need special skills to install passive home security systems. All you need is a screwdriver!
2. Low Cost
You won’t spend much money installing passive home security systems because all you need is a few screws and wires.
3. No Maintenance Required
Unlike active home security systems, passive ones don’t require constant maintenance. Once installed, they just sit quietly waiting for trouble to happen.
4. Peace of Mind
If you ever leave your home unattended, passive home security systems let you know about it immediately. That way, you can call 911 right away instead of finding out later that your kids were playing hide-and-seek without telling anyone.
5. Better Protection Than Active Home Security
While active home security systems give you better protection, passive home security systems still serve their purpose well. They simply notify you whenever something unusual occurs.
6. Lower Risk Of Burglary
Because passive home security systems alert you if someone tries to break-in, burglars tend not to bother breaking into houses where people are aware of their presence.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Passive Home Security?
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of passive home security systems:
Pros
• Simple Setup
Setting up passive home security systems is easy. Just plug everything in and turn it on. It takes less time than setting up an active home security system.
• Less Expensive
Compared to active home security systems, which cost hundreds of dollars per month, passive home security systems are inexpensive. This makes them ideal for first-time buyers who want to start protecting themselves from potential threats as soon as possible.
Cons
• Limited Coverage Area
Some passive home security systems have limited areas covered. For example, most models only cover one room. If you plan to put more than one sensor in different rooms, you may need multiple units.
• Notify You When Someone Is Nearby But Doesn’t Enter Your House
Most passive home security systems only tell you when someone enters or leaves your house. Some models can send alerts via text message or email but these notifications are often delayed.
Which Type Should You Choose?
The best type of home security depends on what kind of lifestyle you lead. Do you live alone? Or do you share your home with other family members? How big is your home? What kinds of activities take place inside your home? Will you be using your home frequently during certain times of the day?
The answers to those questions help determine whether you should choose an active or passive home security system.
For instance, if you live by yourself and rarely go outside at night, then you probably shouldn’t invest too much money in an active home security system since its coverage area would likely be very small. On the other hand, if you live with others and spend lots of time outdoors after dark, then you might benefit from having an active home security system because it could warn you before any intruder gets close enough to enter your home undetected.
In addition, if you own a large home and regularly entertain guests, then you definitely need an active home security system so that you can keep track of everyone entering and leaving your property.
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