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Here’s How Much Money Home Security Systems Can Save You

Here’s How Much Money Home Security Systems Can Save You

Home security isn’t just about “big” problems like break-ins and fires: it also specializes in smaller solutions and convenience features, from finding tiny pests in the kitchen To cut expensive subscriptions.

These benefits of a home system also translate into serious savings. How many? Our experts looked at everything from the fine print on your insurance policy to your electricity usage and did the math. Here’s exactly what you can save by using the right home security systems or devices.

Homeowners Insurance Discounts

Aqara U100 lock with keypad on a slightly open brown door. Aqara U100 lock with keypad on a slightly open brown door.

The Aqara smart lock replacement deadbolt looks and feels great.

Tyler Lakoma/CNET

Expenses: from 300 to 500 dollars.

Saving: 5% to 15% discount on homeowners insurance, saving $7 to $20 per month.

From refrigerators to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little easier.

You can find many promises online about how much home security devices can save your homeowners insurance bills. We have more details herebut it really depends on whether your insurance company allows it and what specific devices you have.

Insurance companies prefer to see an entire home security system that you can arm, preferably with smart locks and professional home monitoring. At the higher tier, you can save around 15% or even more. Considering the average homeowners insurance bill these days is between $150 and $200 per month, this can add up to significant monthly savings.

From refrigerators to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little easier.

Replace professional home monitoring with smart alerts

Gemini alerts from camera notifications displayed in Google Home on a smartphone. Gemini alerts from camera notifications displayed in Google Home on a smartphone.

Gemini can send alerts about a variety of things to compatible cameras like Nest devices.

Expenses: from 0 to 20 dollars per month.

Saving: from 20 to 50 dollars per month.

Professional home security monitoring can be expensive, with traditional plans often costing more than $50 per month. But you don’t have to get home monitoring – if you’re willing to do it yourself. Many modern devices such as CCTV cameras or DIY home security systems allow you to switch to a lighter plan (or even a no-subscription plan) that includes smart alerts, people recognition, live viewing, and two-way audio capabilities.

This is enough for you to act as a home monitor if you don’t mind checking your phone for notifications. If you want to make things even easier, check out plans like Ring’s Protect Pro ($20) or Arlo’s Secure Plus ($18) or even Alexa Emergency Assistance ($6) allows you to immediately contact emergency services 24/7 through their apps to save time.

Stop the leak immediately with leak detectors

Yuphie's leak detector sits in a puddle of water on the white tiled floor. Euphie's leak detector sits in a puddle of water on the white tiled floor.

Leak detectors, especially battery-powered models, can be used almost anywhere.

Euphie

Expenses: Around US$30-50.

Saving: From $200 to a very high amount in case of an accident.

Leak detectors work with many different home security systems and monitor the presence of water or freezing. You can place them near pipes, behind toilets, under sinks and water heaters where they will let you know if anything goes wrong due to a leak. You can turn off the water right away and avoid stains, water damage, or even mold problems.

When a leak occurs, this detector can save you serious money. Water damage to the floor may begin about $200 for repairs and will rise to thousands of dollars for large-scale information leaks that go undetected for too long.

Connect a smart thermostat to your system

Man adjusting thermostat on counter Man adjusting thermostat on counter

Smart thermostats make it easier to control your temperature, leading to big savings.

Getty Images/CNET

Expenses: About 300 US dollars

Saving: US$50 per year

Many home security systems can integrate with third-party systems. smart thermostats like those offered by Nest or Ecobee or offer your own smart thermostats. These thermostats are easy to set up, controlled via an app, and can work with virtually any HVAC system. Thanks to their offerings and automation, these thermostats are very effective at maintaining the desired temperature in your home. How effective? Energy Star Rates smart thermostat saves an average of $50 or more if you live in a harsher climate.

Switch to smart lighting

Philips smart light bulb against a packaging box, on a purple gradient background Philips smart light bulb against a packaging box, on a purple gradient background

Philips smart bulbs are affordable and can save you money over time.

Phillips/CNET.com/

Expenses: $10 to $20 per bulb.

Saving: $200 per year or more

Smart lights use LEDs and application scheduling to become incredibly efficient. Many of them work with home security systems, allowing you to set their timers, brightness, and other settings from the same place you arm your system. Smart LEDs are more accessible than everand the US Department of Energy estimates The average family can save about $225 per year. by switching all lighting to LEDs and using an advanced lighting planning system.

Preventing Porch Piracy

A woman in a purple sweater retrieves a package from the bottom of a white Felicuke delivery box. A woman in a purple sweater retrieves a package from the bottom of a white Felicuke delivery box.

Delivery boxes have several built-in tricks to defeat the porch pirates.

Felicuke

Expenses: from 100 to 200 dollars.

Saving: About US$50 per pack.

Porch pirates are more common than ever, and data shows that the average package stolen is costs from 50 to 100 dollars. This can add up if porch pirates tend to attack your neighborhood every holiday season or so. But there are ways to stop them. Video doorbell starting at $50.might scare off porch pirates if they notice him watching them. Or you can choose a full shipping safe starting at $200. and makes it impossible for thieves to get to packages left at your home.

As a last stop before your trip, consider checking out our travel guides. on how to scare away robbers, how to get security subscriptions for less money or what you need to know about smart home hacking.