For most people, owning a home is the most significant financial commitment and investment they can make. As homes are a place of safety and refuge, it’s often imperative to have a good home security system to ensure the safety of your family and to prevent items on your property from being stolen.
Your front door is an important aspect of your home safety, which is why having a suitable intercom system to check who can be at your front door when necessary can be a great help to improving property security.
With multiple intercom suppliers on the market, it can be overwhelming selecting the right intercom system considering the range of choices on offer. So, in this article, we’ll be going through a few tips that can ensure you find the right intercom system to install for your home.
1. Understand the different types of intercom systems
An intercom, door phone, or talkback device is a standalone communication system that consists of a “master” unit, or station located at the point where the communication is being received, such as inside the house by the hallway.
The second unit or “slave station” is usually fixed to the point where the communication originates, such as the entrance to the building, next to the front door, or by the entrance gates.
Intercom systems typically fall into these three categories:
- Wired intercom systems
- Wireless intercom systems
- Video intercom systems
Wired Intercom Systems
Wired intercom systems are systems hardwired into the building. They are connected using a network of wires running within the houses’ walls, ceilings, or floors. These intercoms are usually established permanently within the home.
Although products may vary, they generally operate in the same way – when the doorbell button is pushed, and the homeowner speaks into the intercom, the voice signals are carried across a direct current power rail using a pair of conductors to the receiving intercom. Lights or a buzzer sound (known as the paging signal) and a two-way conversation occurs to ascertain who is on the other side of the front door or gate.
Wireless Intercom Systems
Wireless intercom systems perform the same function as wired systems, but use Wi-Fi technology to communicate between units instead. Wireless systems are used in situations where there is an internet connection available, and when running wires through the house is hard to establish. Wireless intercom systems have the benefit of being easily replicable with consistent updates.
Video Intercom Systems
Video intercoms are composed of a camera as well as a speaker. These systems contain an internal monitor that communicates to the entrance unit and a push button that opens the entry door.
2. How many entrances does your property have?
Choosing a suitable intercom for your home will depend on the type of property and how many points of access you have.
For example, if a family lives in a large house, you may require more intercom stations on different levels. Or if individuals can access the property from the back, you will need to fit intercoms at both the back and front doors.
Identifying the number of intercoms you will need and their installation locations will help determine the best intercom solution for you. If your home requires multiple intercoms, a bundled multi-intercom system would be the most viable solution.
3. Audio only, or video too?
Video intercoms are more expensive than their audio-only counterparts. That being said, video intercoms can be a better security investment as they provide the additional safety of having a visual confirmation of who is at the door.
Video intercoms also come in varying display sizes and resolutions, so if security is the highest priority for your property, a video intercom with high resolution and clear night vision would be your best option.
4. Consider the household and lifestyle of its members
Another consideration to remember is figuring out who is in the house and at what times during the day.
For example, if one parent works night shifts and leaves the other parent at home in the evening with their young children, a video intercom system can help with peace of mind as the homeowner can see who is at the door both during daylight hours and as darkness falls.
It may also be that the property owner requires a system that will allow them to easily and remotely open doors, such as in the case of commercial premises, or when an individual with mobility issues may find it difficult to access the door.
For families who have turned their basement into living spaces, having a means of communication without having to travel back and forth between the stairs is highly convenient. A simple two-way intercom that allows for easy internal communication through the house can be useful, and saves time rounding up the family at mealtimes.
5. Additional intercom features
Many intercoms provide useful additional features for added convenience and functionality.
One of these features is the ability to use your phone to converse with whoever is at your front door, and to open it up, enabling you to see who is at your home wherever you’re at. It allows you to open your door to welcome returning house members or guests even if you’re out. Another attractive feature includes playback of video recordings for door interactions, allowing people to leave a video message if you’re not home.
There is an abundance of intercom features that can make your life easier, and understanding the available features and their benefits to your lifestyle can be a great help in choosing an adequate intercom solution for your home.
6. Seek advice from a professional company
Everyone’s home and property are different and will have different requirements for intercom system implementation. A professional intercom system provider will have all the expertise and information on hand to guide you towards the most suitable intercom solution for your home.
An Australian owned company since 1985, PSA designs, manufactures and distributes a complete protection solution of intercom products to the electrical, security and fire industries. Check out our wide range of intercom products today.
