Just Moved Into New Home, Hoping For Advice

[hufggfg]

Hi there,

I recently moved out to the countryside from previously always living in central London, so now have a proper house for the first time.

 

The house we have bought already has an intruder alarm system (in fact 2 systems I think, one in the main house and a separate one in the garage building), it says Banham on the external parts, but I don't know anything else about it. I think it was fitted around 10 years ago, and the old owner effectively just told us we can call any company we want to set-up a new maintenance contract. I've spoken to a couple this morning, and they weren't exactly incredibly helpful in terms of going through the different options and costs!

 

I'm hoping to get some advice on who might be best to speak to about upgrading the current system, and the various options for maintenance & monitoring.

I'm keen to have some kind of "smart home" set-up and would like to be able to access the alarm remotely (to arm it, disarm it, monitor etc etc), which I assume will mean at least replacing the control panels, but would it be better to just entirely replace the system?

 

Does anyone have a recommendation of who I can talk to?

 

Thanks very much

[Lwillis]

hi and welcome,

 

there are a few system which can be remotley controlled which one an installer uses is generally down to personal preference.

where abouts are you now, there might be a member here who is local to you.

[PeterJames]

Hi and welcome

 

The security industry was a bit slow to jump on the band wagon with apps and the like, but it has more or less caught up most of the main manufacturers now have apps. There is a signalling manufacturer developing an app that will work with any panel. Banhams are a NSI Gold semi national company which should mean your alarm has been installed to reasonable standard. If you really want a smart house with a bit of home automation then upgrading the panel using the existing wiring and detection would be the way to go. I would recommend the HKC app its slightly more expensive than the cheaper panels, but in comparison you do get what you pay for. Ive wired my panel into my lightwave RF system so can switch lights on and of from the same app rather than using two.

[hufggfg]

Ah perfect, that sounds like exactly the kind of thing I'm after, so good to know I can potentially get there by just changing the panel.

 

We're now in Essex, about half way between Bishop's Stortford and Chelmsford.

 

 

Also, I've noticed the motion detectors in each room make an annoying tiny click each time they detect movement... so might have to change some of those too!

[sixwheeledbeast]

detectors in each room make an annoying tiny click each time they detect movement... so might have to change some of those too!

 

Maybe they are working?

[hufggfg]

Maybe they are working?

 

Oh I think they're probably working fine, it's just that that kind of electronic click really annoys me!

[Adi]

rx40's or similar, annoying as ....

 

Good detectors but i wouldnt have them.

[james.wilson]

As above Optex detectors?

[PeterJames]

Oh I think they're probably working fine, it's just that that kind of electronic click really annoys me!

Really good detectors those, never false alarm. The click can be quietened by adding some foam in the detector, but you will need to change them if you want to lose the click completely.

You could try Blitz they are in your direction but I do not know if they cover Essex, but a very good company that will go that extra mile  http://blitzsecurity.co.uk/

Or you could call HKC and ask them to recommend an installer  01706-373 560

[norman]

I never liked the RX40's but have fitted loads in the past, great when you can walk test with your eyes closed, just listening to the 'click'.