How Does My Home Security System Work with No Power?
Feeling secure in your house is a fundamental part of what makes it a home. A home security system plays a significant role in establishing that sense of security. However, many people have concerns about how their home security systems will function during a power outage. Do house alarms work when the power is out? This is a valid question that homeowners often ask, especially in areas prone to power disruptions.
How Do Alarm Systems Work When the Power Goes Out?
Many people are understandably worried about leaving their home vulnerable when they’re away, or even when they’re at home but unable to power their system. What if there’s a power failure while they’re gone? Will the system continue to function, or will it leave the home exposed to potential threats?
Many modern home security systems offer more than just intrusion detection. They provide a range of life-safety features, including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, flood, and freeze detectors. These systems are just as essential to your safety as the alarm itself, making it critical to have a solution in place to keep them operational during a power outage. In such cases, having a reliable backup battery becomes indispensable. A 24-hour backup battery ensures your home security system stays fully functional, even when the power goes out.
The Importance of a Backup Battery for Home Security Systems
When a power outage occurs, one of the best safety measures you can take is to have a 24-hour backup battery installed in the main panel of your home security system. This ensures that your system can continue operating during brief power interruptions and even during extended outages. Depending on how often power outages occur in your area, having a backup battery could be extremely valuable.
Many security panels come standard with backup batteries. If you’re unsure whether your system includes one, it’s a good idea to check as part of your overall preparedness plan for power outages. Additionally, it's important to remember that all batteries eventually lose their charge and require replacement. Even if the backup battery hasn’t been used for some time, your security system might detect issues and alert you to a problem. If that happens, make sure to replace the battery promptly to ensure your system is fully operational when needed most.
Types of Home Security Systems’ Power Outage Protection
There are various types of home security systems, and the level of resilience to power outages can differ depending on the monitoring method. A crucial feature that contributes to the effectiveness of a security system is 24/7 professional monitoring. If the power goes out, it’s important to know whether your system will continue to send signals to the monitoring center and how long it can maintain this communication.
Landline Monitoring
If your alarm system is operating on backup battery power but remains connected to a working landline used for monitoring, it should continue to communicate with the monitoring center, even in the event of a power outage. This is because home phone lines operate on a different, low voltage power that is separate from your home’s main electric supply.
Cellular Monitoring
Cellular monitoring is generally a safe bet as well in the event of a power failure. Like a cellular phone, communication is unaffected by power outages as long as the backup battery in your security panel is functioning. Cellular monitoring works without the need for additional Wi-Fi monitoring.
Wi-Fi Monitoring
Wi-Fi monitoring, while great for connecting to smart home devices and security cameras, can be more vulnerable to power outages. Since it depends on your home’s internet connection, any disruption in your internet service due to a power outage will also disrupt the communication between your home security system and the monitoring center. This type of monitoring may temporarily stop functioning until power is restored and internet service resumes.
Tips for Maintaining Security During Power Outages
During a power outage, it’s essential to stay prepared and maintain your home’s security and safety. Here are some helpful tips:
Keep a supply of fresh batteries for any devices that require them, such as flashlights, emergency radios, or other essential equipment. This will ensure you can maintain visibility and stay informed until power is restored.
Use flashlights and lamps to safely navigate around your home in the dark. Make sure to have a few high-quality flashlights in easy-to-access places, like in your kitchen or near your main entryway.
Emergency radios or walkie-talkies can be invaluable during a power outage, allowing you to stay informed about any developments in your area, as well as coordinate with family or neighbors.
Your smartphone can also be a crucial tool during power outages. Many smartphones have built-in flashlights, emergency communication apps, and other useful features. Consider keeping a power bank or external chargers on hand so you can keep your devices charged during an outage.
Brinks Home™ Stays Connected During Power Outages
To ensure your home security system continues to work during a power outage, you should consider a system that uses both Wi-Fi and cellular monitoring. This combination offers the flexibility and speed you need for smart home integration and streaming video from your security cameras while also providing an alternative means of communication with the central monitoring station if broadband service is interrupted.
At Brinks Home, we understand the importance of keeping your home secure, even during a power outage. We offer advanced security systems designed to maintain strong connections to our Alarm Response Center, ensuring that, even in a power outage, monitoring and emergency response remain uninterrupted.
If you’re interested in learning more about a security system that’s built to withstand power outages, contact us today. Our Brinks Home Security Consultants can provide you with a free quote and help you find the ideal system to keep your home safe, no matter the circumstances.
