Monitored vs Self-Monitored House Alarms: A Comparison

What is a monitored alarm system?

A monitored alarm system is professionally watched 24/7, alerting you and emergency services when an alarm is triggered.

What is a self-monitored alarm system?

A self-monitored alarm system alerts only you, requiring you to check and respond to any security issues on your own.

How a monitored house alarm system works

A monitored house alarm system involves a professional monitoring service that 24/7 remotely watches over your home security. PhoneWatch is one of the leading monitored house alarm system providers in Ireland and offer a range of different monitored services to our customers.

Here is how our monitored house alarm typically works:

• In our starter house alarm pack, households receive security sensors, motion detectors, a smoke alarm and more as standard.
• When an alarm is triggered, such as a motion sensor, a door/window sensor, smoke detector sensing smoke, then the system sends a signal to our central monitoring station.
• Our trained alarm receiving center operator at the monitoring station receive the signal and contact the household in first instance.
• If our operators determine that there is a threat or an emergency, they take appropriate action, such as notifying the police or fire department.
• The monitoring service may also notify designated emergency contacts if we cannot reach the homeowner.

Benefits of a monitored house alarm

• Professional monitoring ensures a quick response to emergencies, even when you're unable to respond or away from home.
• Households have peace of mind that they are being protected when they are at home, on holidays or just away.
• Our monitoring service can contact emergency services on your behalf, potentially saving valuable time during critical situations.
• If there are any issues with your equipment such as batteries out of date it is often quickly identified while service calls are usually included as part of the service.
• Our monitoring services provides additional features as standard such as a smoke detector meaning you are not just protected from burglaries but also fire.
• Many insurance companies will offer a discount on your house insurance if you have a house alarm installed in your home.
• Our monitored alarm pack includes a large bellbox which is fixed on the outside of a home which lets people know the house is protected by PhoneWatch. Knowing the house has a monitored alarm usually acts a deterrent for burglars.

Disadvantages of a monitored house alarm

• There is a monthly monitoring fee to help keep your home secure which might be a barrier if you do not have the budget.
• Sometimes false alarms can be generated if your alarm is triggered by a pet if you forget to disarm an alarm. For pet owners, it’s important to consider how different alarm systems work with pets. If you're looking for a system that is compatible with your dog or cat, check out our guide on choosing a pet-friendly home security system.
• You still need to manage aspects of your alarm. The alarm can be armed and disarmed at will provided you have the necessary passcode. While having control of the alarm is a positive, it can still leave you open to human error and forgetting to set the alarm giving you a false sense of security. If you forget to arm your alarm while leaving the home, then your home will not be monitored.

Self-monitored house alarm system

A self-monitored house alarm system allows you to manage your home security without involving a professional monitoring service like PhoneWatch. Here's how it typically works:

• You will need to research the self-monitoring home solutions available to you such as security sensors, security cameras, smoke alarms etc.
• You will be responsible for managing maintenance of these self-monitoring devices to ensure they are working.
• When an alarm is triggered, the system alerts you directly and you will need to be immediately available to review the issue.
• It's up to you to assess the situation and decide on the appropriate action, such as contacting the authorities or checking the security cameras remotely.
• If further action is required, then you will need to notify the appropriate authorities such as the gardai in case of attempted burglary or fire services in case of fire.

Benefits of a self-monitored house alarm

• Self-monitoring systems are often more cost-effective since there are no monthly monitoring fees.
• You have direct control over managing alerts and deciding how to respond.
• Some self-monitored systems offer remote access to security cameras and other smart home features.

Disadvantages of a self-monitored house alarm

• The effectiveness of a self-monitored system relies on your ability to respond promptly to alerts, which may not always be possible.
• You are responsible for contacting emergency services, which can introduce delays if you are unable to do so promptly.
• If there is a burglary and it happens quickly while you are at home, then the burglar may prevent you from contacting the authorities.
• You may have less peace of mind as it will be quite distressing to witness a burglary or fire at your own home and be solely responsible to respond.
• Alarm notifications may put you on edge particularly on times when you are on holidays and most vulnerable to a burglary. This could prevent you from being able to relax knowing the issue will not be resolved without your attention.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between a monitored house alarm and a self-monitored house alarm depends on your preferences, budget, and the level of security you desire.

If you're considering a monitored system, learn more about how it safeguards your home in our detailed post on how a monitored alarm system safeguards your home.

If you prefer immediate response, more peace of mind, and professional oversight, a monitored system may be the better option. If this is of to you, then please review of house alarm pack or request a free personalised quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between professional alarm monitoring and self-monitoring?
Professional monitoring means a 24/7 manned centre receives your alarm and arranges a response, even if you are away. Self-monitoring means the system only alerts you, and you decide what to do. The practical difference is whether anyone responds when you cannot.

How does a monitored alarm system work?
When a sensor is triggered, the system sends a signal to PhoneWatch's Alarm Receiving Centre within seconds. A trained operator verifies the alert and contacts you first. If there is a genuine threat, they coordinate the appropriate emergency response on your behalf.

What is an unmonitored alarm system?
An unmonitored alarm sounds a siren and may send a phone notification, but nobody is watching it. There is no professional response, so protection depends entirely on someone hearing the alarm and acting.

Do monitored alarm systems check themselves?
Yes. PhoneWatch carries out daily remote health checks, so faults are flagged automatically rather than going unnoticed until the alarm is needed.

What happens if a monitored alarm goes off by mistake?
A trained operator contacts the household first to verify the alert before any emergency response is arranged, which helps prevent unnecessary call-outs from a false alarm.

Does having a monitored house alarm reduce home insurance?
Many Irish insurers offer a discount on home insurance for a professionally monitored alarm. Check with your provider, as the discount and conditions vary.