How to Choose the Best CCTV and Security System for Your Home
Your home deserves to stay safe. According to a recent Australian Bureau of Statistics report, household crime rates have spiked in Queensland over the past couple of years.
While you can’t completely avoid the chances of being a victim of these incidents, you can minimise them with a robust home security system. It usually includes CCTV cameras, security alarms, and smoke alarms.
However, choosing the perfect one could be tricky with so many security system companies available.
If you live in Brisbane, Algester Electrical, accredited Master Electricians, can help protect your home or business by offering the right security solution. Let’s learn how you can choose the best CCTV and security system for your home and how we can support you!
Assess Your Security Needs
Before you get a security system on board, you must analyse your home’s security requirements.
If you own a residential property, you must determine which areas need CCTV cameras. This can be done by understanding your house's size and overall design, as well as its entry and exit points.
For instance, you may need a system for your garage or backyard. Or, if you live with your family, you may have to find alarms that can protect them to cover for medical emergencies or fires.
Similarly, your security needs may be different for commercial properties. That's because most spaces, like hospitals or warehouses, are bigger than homes with multiple high-traffic areas and entry/exit points. Plus, you may have to consider storage rooms or places with valuable data or assets in your security system solution.
Make sure that you evaluate all these points before spending on a certain CCTV camera system.
Understanding CCTV Cameras
Many types of CCTV cameras are available, and obviously, you can't get them all. So, to know which fits your situation the best, here are quick details of the common types.
Dome Cameras: These are designed to offer an expansive field of view. You can use them both indoors and outdoors to monitor wide-open spaces.
Bullet Cameras: They are popular for their longer rather than wider view range. You can mount them on any wall to benefit from their high visibility.
PTZ Cameras: These cameras have Pan-Tilt-Zoom features for wider coverage. You can use them for large areas, like your yard.
Regardless of which CCTV camera you own, ensure that it has the following features for quality results.
Resolution: Resolution is defined as the total number of pixels a CCTV camera sensor captures and then displays in an image or video. A higher resolution would mean more pixels, resulting in greatly sharper and clearer results with enhanced detail.
Night Vision & Infrared: A camera that offers night vision is perfect for always-on surveillance.
Weather Resistance: When choosing a camera, ensure it is weather-resistant and durable. It should stay put, regardless of Brisbane weather conditions.
Remote Monitoring: You should pick a camera that can be easily accessed even if you are away. Remote monitoring helps you keep an eye on your property’s security all the time.
Security Alarms: Essential Features
Once you have decided on a camera, move ahead to pick a security alarm. There are three main types of these available.
Burglar Alarms: These have sound alerts and motion detectors to catch burglars entering or exiting your property.
Fire and Smoke Alarms: These alarms alert for fire and smoke as soon as they detect them. It is a legal requirement to install them. If you don't, you may have to pay fines.
When choosing an alarm system, you must also consider features like:
Accessibility: An alarm that can help you monitor your space 24/7, from any location is always a plus.
Smart Home Integration: Pick an alarm that can easily integrate with your Smart Home system’s components, like lights and locks.
Backup Power: A good alarm comes with solid backup power. It should be able to operate even during blackouts.
Wiring and Electrical Installation Considerations
Just because you have successfully bought an alarm and CCTV camera doesn't mean you can also install it easily. Professionals should handle this work, and there is no better option than Algester Electrical’s CCTV and security alarm services in Brisbane.
We offer secure wiring for your systems while keeping the regulations and safety code in practice. Our professionals know the proper placement for maximum coverage for your sensors, cameras, and alarms, so you can let the professionals do the heavy lifting on your behalf.
Integration of CCTV and Alarm Systems
Not all CCTV cameras and alarm systems can be easily integrated. However, you must get those that do to experience better security management via the central control system.
Integrated systems enhance response time in emergencies. They do this by reacting to problems at the same time they arise.
Plus, they are easy to control remotely. You can use one platform to control each system simultaneously.
However, at times, integrated systems fail, affecting your security results. Make sure you choose professionals to combine your cameras and alarms to avoid such glitches.
Budgeting for Your Security System
Before you get a security system, ensure to prepare a budget. Evaluate the costs of buying and installing various commercial or residential property systems. Then, compare them with your budget to find a match that fits your bill.
Since this is usually a one-time investment, we recommend getting high-quality equipment only so it lasts you a long time and offers good cake for money. Similarly, get the system installed by professionals to prevent malfunction and added expenses.
Ongoing Maintenance and Support
No matter what CCTV camera or alarm you choose, it will need regular maintenance to work for a long time.
For instance, you may need to clean cameras, check their power supply, and inspect alarms for corrosion or their wiring to ensure optimal performance. Plus, you may need ongoing technical support to make sure that your security system works seamlessly for the purpose bought.
Maintaining the system is a lot of work. Thankfully, the professional team at Algester Electrical makes it easy for you. We have all the tools and expertise required to keep your security systems as new and high-performing as ever.
Having an ideal security system at home or office is a must in this day and age, but we understand that buying a suitable solution isn't always straightforward. Contact Algester Electrical to seek help from the professionals. With our customised security solutions, you can always be at peace when leaving or entering a property.
