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Tuesday, March 19th
Alarm Relay may be the best little alarm system company you've never heard of. In operation for nearly 50 years, this provider has a flawless "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with absolutely no complaints filed there. That in itself is reason to give Alarm Relay a look.
Just the basics here
What you won't get here are a ton of bells and whistles: this isn't the alarm system company to choose if you want slick home automation and tons of fancy features controlled by your smartphone. However, if you need basic sensors and cameras and reliable monitoring. Alarm Relay definitely has you covered.
Plenty of equipment, affordable monitoring
The best way to get started with Alarm Relay is to browse their products online. It'll give you a good feel for what they have (and what they don't). As a sampling, their Cameras include several indoor and outdoor options, plus two different brands of video doorbells. Sensors cover everything from basic door/window equipment to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, flooding, and more. If you already know what you want, you can add it to your cart and complete your purchase. Just don't forget about the monitoring: Alarm Relay offers landline, internet and cellular options, with annual pricing that works out to be $8.95, $13.95, and $19.95 per month in the first year (with slight increases in the monthly price each year for the first four years).
No problem getting help
If you're not sure what you need, it's easy to click on the "Need Help" button on the Alarm Relay site, or give their toll-free number a call. Your representative will give you a no-hassle, complimentary assessment of your home alarm system needs - the call shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes or so.
Bring over your existing equipment
Also, if your home already has an alarm system, this company will happily work with you. That's a service you won't usually find with other alarm system companies, who insist that you replace your existing equipment with their own. Be sure to mention it when you reach out to an Alarm Relay rep if you're hoping to take advantage of any alarm systems currently in place.
Happy long-term customers
We already mentioned this company's great track record with the BBB, but we were equally impressed by their customer reviews elsewhere. Alarm Relay has clients that have happily been with them for over a decade - and newer ones who switched over from some of the Big Name Alarm System Companies and are delighted by the lower rates and better service. Like any business, Alarm Relay experiences issues from time to time, but we've seen nothing but professional, prompt, and courteous responses from their support reps when problems have come up.
Great choice for low-tech alarm systems
For basic home protection, Alarm Relay is a fantastic choice. You'll get straightforward pricing without the hassle of a multiple-year contract, and it may be one of the only providers that will gladly help you link up any existing home alarm system equipment with their monitoring services. While you'll need to look elsewhere for cutting-edge home automation, Alarm Relay is well worth your consideration for alarm systems suitable for most customers.
There are so many options today, from well-known providers that have been around for fifty years or more to brand-new companies selling DIY-installed, wallet-friendly home alarm systems and automation all in one.
You've got plenty of reasons to use an alarm system, whichever route you choose. Not only can they protect you against break-ins while you're away, but they can also give you extra peace of mind if you're one of the millions of Americans who find themselves working from home on a regular basis. Need to know who's at your door before you open it? Many systems will send live video right to your smartphone, letting you decide if you should interrupt that conference call with your team!
What are the basics of an alarm system? Most packages come with a few window/door sensors and some kind of control panel. You can still find traditional equipment that includes a wall-installed panel, but most of today's systems have a portable tablet used to arm and disarm it. From there, the options are nearly limitless and can include indoor/outdoor cameras, video doorbells, smoke/fire and carbon monoxide detectors, and many other features to keep you feeling secure.
Beyond safety, alarm systems now give you plenty of choices for home automation. What might have seemed like space-age tech just ten years ago is commonplace: use your smartphone to turn down the thermostat before you get home from work, arm your system with a voice command even when you're already in bed for the evening, or sign into your system from your computer at work to make sure you really did remember to lock the front door (and take care of it if you didn't!).
With so many options, it can feel overwhelming to choose an alarm system. There are several things to keep in mind that can help make the decision clearer and lead you to the package that will meet your needs:
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