If your home is equipped with an alarm system, then it’s mandatory for it to be monitored. Otherwise, it’s just useless. There are two methods of monitoring a system: Self-monitoring and professional monitoring.

Self-monitored systems may be more cost-efficient than a monitor system, but that’s just it. You are sacrificing security to save a little bit of money.

Monitored systems, on the other hand, take advantage of a professional to monitor your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It may cost more, but money won’t pay the peace of mind that a monitored system gives you.

Let’s learn more about it today!

Monitored Systems

As the name suggests, a monitored system that delivers active and constant monitoring by a professional home security company.

Whenever the system detects emergencies or break-ins, the home system sends a ping to the central monitoring station. It also immediately notifies emergency responders or the police.

One distinct advantage that a monitored system has over a self-monitored one is that you don’t have to constantly watch over your home system even while you’re away. You have a professional doing the job for you. It gives you that peace of mind that allows you to focus on other things.

If you’re not mechanically inclined and techy, installing might be a problem. But that wouldn’t be much of a worry if you’ve bought a monitored system. The security company is responsible for installation. It’s better than its self-monitored counterpart where you have to do everything alone.

The only disadvantage of a professionally monitored system is the monthly cost, and that’s about it. There’s nothing negative about having a pair of professional eyes that keeps a careful watch on your system and home.

Although someone is already monitoring your home system, you can still access the system itself. This allows you to arm or disarm the system remotely if it’s needed.

Self-Monitored System

One thing that you can do, especially if money is tight, is to set-up and monitor your home system yourself. You can easily access the status of the system and get updates through your work computer or through your cellular phone.

A self-monitored system can also be modified to contact and inform other numbers in your contact if the system is triggered.

It’s also nice to access the live feed of your system anytime you want at home or in your business. Knowing what’s going on will give you that peace of mind.

But this system, along with its advantages, has some disadvantages too. You can’t dedicate all of your time in just monitoring your home. There are just moments and times where you are not in the position to alert the authorities.

For example, your device died, or you don’t have any cell signal – you won’t get notified if your alarm system gets triggered. Aside from this, there are other factors that affect your ability to monitor or to respond to any emergency situation.