Types of Residential Alarms

Water Alarms

• Whether it's a sump pump failure or a broken water heater, if not caught in time, a homeowner can be facing serious out-of-pocket costs from flooding. Water alarms are battery operated and come with a water sensor attached to a cord. The alarm signal is usually a beep that can vary in tone, but some have a musical tone. Just install the water alarm in any areas that are potential sites for floods. Prices vary, with the low end being around $20 and the high end being around $70.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• A silent killer in the home is carbon monoxide. It has no odor, is tasteless and is invisible. Carbon monoxide alarms, also known as CO alarms, alert the homeowner to the presence of carbon monoxide. The alarm functions by using electrochemical sensors. The alarms should be installed on every level of the home and in areas where family members sleep. They can be operated by battery power or power from an electrical current. Some CO alarms come in combination with a fire alarm. Prices start at around $30 and go as high as $300.

Fire Alarms

• Installing smoke alarms can help save lives, as they detect fires in the early stages and sound an alarm giving the family time to get out of the house. They contain a sensor that responds to smoke and a sound mechanism that alerts the homeowner to a possible fire. The alarm may use an ionization sensor or a photoelectric sensor. Most fire alarms are relatively small in size and are battery operated. They are usually installed on the ceiling and should be placed on every floor of the home and close to areas where family members sleep. Prices range from $6 to over $1,000.

Burglar Alarms

• Security alarm systems are becoming more prevalent in homes, especially in cities that are battling high crime rates. Some security systems are extremely sophisticated and have employees that monitor the home. Others just make a loud noise to alert individuals of a possible intrusion. Still other systems make no noise at all but quietly alert the police of a possible break-in. There are alarms that use heat sensors, motion detectors and even radio frequencies. Installation varies according to the system being used. Prices start as low as $10 for a simple alarm. Security systems with monitoring depend upon the vendor's pricing.