Michael Holigan: Today we're going to take a look at the installation of security systems. We're a little late on this house. As you can see, the trim's already up and the home's already painted. We've got someone to answer a few questions with us. We've got Sheri McKinney with Ranger American. Good to have you with us.
Sheri McKinney: Hello, how are you?
M.H.: I'm doing good. Hey, tell me a little bit about when to install a security system. When is the best time?
S.M.: Generally we come in after your electrician and then prior to insulation and then prior to sheetrock.
M.H.: So while the home's actually being built.
S.M.: Yes. It's a lot easier to do it then. It allows us to home run each individual wire back to the control panel.
M.H.: Yeah, I think if it's easier then, it's also more cost effective.
S.M.: Yeah, it's generally going to cost about 10 times more to wire the home after construction than during the actual process of construction.
M.H.: What's different, besides the sheetrock's up. We're going to have to work around it. What steps do we have to take now?
S.M.: Basically, he's going to take off the trim, drill holes in the window and then, he'll have to series a couple of windows back to the control panel.
M.H.: What do you mean by home running the wires? Explain that for us.
S.M.: Basically, every individual window will be drilled and the actual switch will be surfaced in the window and then that wire would go back to the master...usually we put it in the master bedroom closet. The wire's going to be actually run individually back.
M.H.: On this one that we're retrofitting, I noticed that Kirk is putting the keypad box right above the electrical switch. Is it easier to do it like that?
S.M.: Yes there's already a channel going down it. What we'll typically do is leave our wire right above the electrical box, so it's easy for us to locate.
M.H.: Sheri, I see a lot of ads for installations or retrofits on home security systems, that are dirt cheap. I mean, they're just too cheap. What should you expect when you get those very, very low prices?
S.M.: Basically what they're looking for and what they're doing for you is they're wiring three doors and a motion detector. In addition to that, they're going to make you sign a three-year lease agreement for a minimum of $24.95 a month.
M.H.: That does not include the windows. Anybody could break in a window.
S.M.: No, typically if they want to come back and add windows you're looking at about $40.00 to $50.00 a window depending on the company that you have come out. The insurance companies right now are giving anywhere from 10 to 20% discount for a full perimeter system. If you just have the three doors and motion detector, they're not going to give you any discount.
M.H.: If you're having a system installed after the home is built, what should be required in the system?
S.M.: Well I think it's important that you get your windows and your doors included in the system so that you really do have full protection and you can benefit from the insurance discounts. Of course you need at least one key pad, additional key pads, such as in the master bedroom are beneficial, due to the fact that your panic buttons are on the key pad.
M.H.: If you're starting from scratch on a new or you're doing a major remodel, what should be required to be in the system, since you have access to the whole house?
S.M.: Well, ideally, here again you want all your windows and doors covered. We like to put some interior protection. Motion detectors are great if you don't have pets. Glass break detectors, of course, they're going to pick up the frequency of breaking glass. The only thing about glass breaks is that you're almost going to have to put one in every single room. They only cover about 20x20. When you have a wall you need an additional device, so it can get quite costly. I think it's important that you get your smoke detectors tied into the security system.
M.H.: Occasionally my neighbor's security system goes off and we can hear it throughout the whole neighborhood. Is it better to have a audible system or is better to have a silent system?
S.M.: Well I don't know if a lot of neighbors will respond to your alarm, but I would say that the audible thing, if nothing else, is going to benefit you. It's going to at least alert you if you're home that you've had an intruder or you have some type of a problem. So definitely the audible is helpful.
M.H.: Well Sheri, thanks for the advice on home safety.
S.M.: Thank you.
Episode 022 1995 - 96 Season
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