Talking About Green

We all know the feeling when you just realized you forgot to lock your door. At best, it’s a quick moment of nagging anxiety – at worst, it’s a debilitating slideshow of anxious thoughts that’ll kill any chance of being productive for the rest of the day. A simple solution would be to install a home security system, which would help with the anxiety, up until you got your power bill at the end of the month. Conventional home security systems run 24/7, constantly taking power out of your outlets and money out of your wallet. Not only is this not the best option for those who are interested in saving money, it’s not the most environmentally sound either. Here are five simple ways to strengthen your home security system without putting a dent in your energy bill.

1. Get Solar Powered Cameras

Every day companies are coming out with more high tech security cameras, offering things like better zoom and resolution. As these cameras become more powerful, however, they also become more demanding with their power requirements. Fortunately, solar powered cameras are an option. Although these are susceptible to failure (for example, overcast weather for a few days) most models’ batteries can store enough energy to last a few days. Make sure to not get “weather proof” models that have the camera in a sealed enclosure – they usually alter the temperature and humidity automatically, ensuring optimum conditions for the camera and for running up your power bill. Also, if you get a rotating “turret” style camera, be sure that it isn’t set to lock on and follow movement automatically, since that can only waste more power.

2. Use Motion Detectors

Motion detectors are a great way of cutting back on power consumption. An ideal setup for power saving would not use any cameras, and rely solely on infrared motion detectors to sound an alarm. However, if you don’t feel comfortable enough without any cameras, be sure to get a camera that uses PIR (Passive Infrared) technology. These cameras consume much less power than their ultrasonic and microwave counterparts, since they only look for infrared radiation versus actively emitting sound or light like radar.

3. Get a Setup with a DVR Recorder

When you get a setup with a DVR Recorder, you have the option to forego buying another monitor since you can connect it straight to your TV or computer. Most security systems like this offer DVRs with their setups, which are compatible with most computers and TVs. Doing this not only saves money, but eliminates excess monitors that will only drain your house and your wallet of power.

4. Solar Powered Flood Lights

Aside from all the obvious downsides of anything that’s solar powered, getting flood lights is a great preventative measure. Although a light will do little to stop a burglar set on breaking into your home (unless he’s a vampire), the attention it’s drawing to him is usually enough to make them reassess if breaking in is worth the risk.

5. Get a Dog

Hands down the best alarm system for your energy bill, investing in a well trained dog can actually prove to be more effective than conventional alarm systems. If you’re looking to setup cameras in your business to prevent loss, then cameras might be more useful than a dog’s testimony, but in all other situations, burglars will be more likely to flee from a dog attacking them than an alarm buzzing in their ear.