We did the math: How home security systems can help you save money
It’s easy to think of home security as being about the “big” events, like house fires or outright burglaries. But home security technology has an impact in smaller ways, too, and that can save you serious money when you adopt a new security system.
We’ve crunched the numbers, looked at the cost estimates, and discovered just how much you could save with everyday home security enhancements or a few tweaks to the way you use your system. Here’s what we found.
Homeowners Insurance Discounts
The Aqara Smart Replacement Night Lock looks great and feels great.
Costs: $300 – $500
Savings: 5% to 15% off homeowners insurance — about $7 to $20 savings per month
You can find a lot of promises online about how much home security devices can lower your homeowners insurance premium. We have more details here , but it really depends on whether your insurance company allows it and what specific devices you have.
Insurance companies prefer to see a complete home security system that you can set up yourself, preferably with smart locks and professional home monitoring. At the high end, you can save around 15% or even more. With the average homeowners insurance bill now running around $150 to $200 per month, that can add up to significant monthly savings.
Replace professional home surveillance with smart notifications
Gemini can generate notifications about all kinds of things for compatible cameras, such as Nest devices.
Costs: $0 to $20 per month
Savings: $20 to $50 per month
Professional home security monitoring can be expensive, with traditional subscriptions often costing upwards of $50 per month. But you don’t have to to have to get home monitoring — if you’re willing to do it yourself. Many of today’s devices, like security cameras or DIY home security systems, allow you to move to a lighter plan (or no plan at all) with smart notifications, human recognition, live view, and two-way audio capabilities.
That’s enough to act as your own home monitor if you don’t mind checking your phone notifications. If you want to make it even easier, you can use plans like Ring’s Protect Pro ($20) or Arlo’s Secure Plus ($18) or even Alexa Emergency Help ($6) that allows you to contact emergency services directly via apps 24/7, saving time.
Stop leaks immediately with leak detectors
Leak detectors, especially battery-powered models, can be placed almost anywhere.
Costs: about $30 to $50
Savings: $200 to very high costs when accidents happen
Leak detectors work with many different home security systems, checking for the presence of water or freezing conditions. You can place them near pipes, behind toilets, under sinks, and near water heaters, where they will let you know if something goes wrong with leaks. You can turn off the water immediately, preventing stains, water damage, or even serious mold problems.
If a leak occurs, that detector can save a lot of money. Water damage to the floor can start about $200 to repair and can cost thousands of dollars for large-scale leaks that go undetected for too long.
Connect a smart thermostat to your system
Smart thermostats make temperature management easy, leading to big savings.
Costs: About $300
Savings: $50 per year
Many home security systems can integrate with third-party smart thermostats like those from Nest or Ecobee, or offer their own smart thermostats. These thermostats are easy to set up, app-controlled, and can work with almost any HVAC system. Their suggestions and automation make these thermostats extra efficient at keeping your home at the right temperature. How efficient? Energy Star rates it at smart thermostat saves $50 on average or more if you live in a more extreme climate.
Switch to smart lighting
Philips smart bulbs are affordable and can save you money in the long run.
Costs: $10 to $20 per bulb
Savings: $200 per year or more
Smart bulbs use LEDs and app scheduling to become incredibly efficient. Many 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 affordable than ever, and the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that an average household can save about $225 per year by switching all lighting to LED lighting and by implementing product improvements in lighting planning.
Preventing Porch Piracy
Delivery boxes have a few built-in tricks to defeat porch pirates.
Costs: $100 – $200
Savings: About $50 per package
Porch pirates are more common than ever, and data shows that the average stolen package worth between $50 and $100. That can add up if porch pirates tend to hit your neighborhood every holiday season or so. But there are ways to stop them. A video doorbell, which starts at around $50, can deter porch pirates if they realize the bell is watching them. Or you can opt for a full-on delivery safe, which starts at $200 and makes it impossible for thieves to get to your home for delivered packages.
As a final tip before you go, check out our guides on how to deter burglars , how to get cheaper security plans , or what you need to know about smart home hacking .
