I am trying to decide about whether to install a wired or wireless burglar alarm system. Anyone has experience in them and knows which one is better?

The advantage of the wireless system is that it can be removed easily in the future. However, is the wireless system as reliable as the wired?

Rosalyn

I've used Brinks hard wired system in two houses now. They, and ADT, do a quality installation. Brinks has been out to my current location once in 13 years - to replace the back-up battery. Any hard wired system will have a back-up battery which will have a finite life. Both companies usually give you 2 key pads 'for free' along with various other sensors according to whatever 'specials' they are running at the time. There may be cheaper local alarm companies but you get what you pay for. Every time I forget and set off my own alarm, Brinks is on the phone verifying that it's not an intruder. Brinks and ADT monitor 24/7, live and direct. A local company may not have a 'live human' at the monitor console. If you go local, get a written guarantee that they are there 24 hours a day. Wireless systems usually rely solely on batteries - at each sensor and receiver - a lot of batteries to worry about - that's why those systems are so much cheaper.

You want a UL Listed monitoring station.

There are many available tht are much less than ADT and Brinks. As cheap as $8.95/month.

And no cancelation fees.

But at that rate they don't provide any "free" alarm systems, just montioring.

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/home_alarm_monitoring.htm
http://www.smarthome.com/alarm.html

Hardwire systems are the most reliable. Be aware there is no such thing as a free alarm system. They usually come attached to a three year monitoring contract.

Frank Fourchalk
Security Consultant/Columnist
http://www.yourhomesecurity.ca

Yeah hardwire is superior