One common concern when it comes to installing security systems is that they will use a lot of electricity, but this isn’t necessarily true. A basic system can use less than 15 watts per year and even a complex system with multiple cameras and features uses around 200 kWh annually, which is less than many common household appliances like refrigerators and ovens.
What factors can influence this electricity usage and how can you reduce your security system’s electricity consumption? Keep reading this blog to find out!
What Is the Typical Energy Consumption for Security Systems?
- Basic alarm systems use electricity at a rate of roughly 5 to 10 watts, with individual door and window sensors consuming between 1 to 5 watts each. Therefore a simple alarm system with a motion sensor may only use 30 kWh per year.
- Cameras usually use electricity at a rate of 2 to 15 watts each which translates to around 7 to 12 kWh per year for a single CCTV camera. Features like night vision will use slightly more.
- An advanced control panel usually uses around 15 to 30 watts per year, while more basic panels can use less.
- Continuous recording devices can consume more electricity, but usually no more than 40 watts per year, depending on the model and number of cameras.
- An advanced system with alarms, motion sensors and a dozen CCTV cameras could reach around 200 kWh annually.
What Factors Influence Energy Consumption?
System Type: Basic wired systems require less power than complex ones.
Components: The type and number of sensors, cameras, control panels and other features can affect the total energy usage.
Connectivity: Systems that frequently connect to Wi-Fi or provide continuous camera feeds will also use more power.
Technology: Modern security systems tend to use more energy-efficient components like LEDs and smaller drives to reduce consumption.
How Can I Reduce My Security System’s Energy Usage?
Choose efficient models: Try to select systems that have newer, energy-saving components and features. For example, solar-powered cameras can be a more eco-friendly and energy-efficient option.
Optimise settings: You can customise your system settings to conserve power. For example, some systems have “eco-mode” features that place them into a low-energy standby state when not in use. Some security systems also allow you to use motion sensors to trigger cameras only when movement is detected, preventing them from recording unnecessarily, saving energy.
Regular system maintenance: Staying on top of your system’s maintenance can also help to ensure that components are functioning correctly and not wasting energy.
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At IDS, we offer a wide range of security systems, including access control, CCTV cameras, intruder alarms and more. You can trust that our systems will be energy-efficient and won’t skyrocket your electricity bills!
We can visit your property and create a bespoke security system tailored to your exact needs and budget. Click the link below to request a FREE, no obligation security survey and site visit.
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