Are you in the market for a new home security system? If so, you may be considering purchasing a Yale alarm system. Yale is a well-known and trusted brand in the home security industry, and for good reason. However, before you make a purchase, it’s important to consider a number of factors to ensure you’re getting the best alarm system for your needs. In this blog, we’ll cover 17 things to consider when you’re buying a Yale alarm. From installation and maintenance to cost and features, we’ll help you make an informed decision.

1) Why do I need an alarm system?  

This is the most critical question to ask yourself in the first place: why do you need a burglar alarm?

1. Is it because it is a high-risk property? Well, which one isn’t?
2. To safeguard the family and possessions on a residential property?
3. Is it a high-risk neighborhood with a recent burglary?

Your requirement could be related to any of the reasons listed above, but not every security system is a one-size-fits-all solution. 

Burglar alarms are used as a first-line defense and may not be the best solution in all circumstances. Therefore, always consult a professional company to determine the best solution to your security needs. 

People sometimes end up choosing a security system that does not meet their needs. For example, if your property is in a high-risk area, a standard alarm will not suffice. It would be best to look into some advanced solutions like professional-grade smart intruder alarms that include remote access control and camera sensors that allow you to monitor your property remotely.

It’s best to assess your requirements first and then consult with a security company to find the best solution for your property.

2) Why the brand Yale? 

Yale was started in 1868 in America and expanded to the UK as a lock manufacturer and is well and truly a global leader in locks and other door-opening solutions. Assa Abloy owns Yale since 2000.

Yale has a substantial range of wireless alarms, and it has been a strong player in the DIY wireless alarm market in the last decade and more.

3) Yale alarm vs Other Brands

When it comes to home protection, Yale is a well-known brand, and its locks range is second to none. That brand recognition and reputation have helped Yale sell its alarm range, and it is one of the most prominent players in the DIY burglar alarm range.

People choose Yale as their preferred security system because it is a cost-effective solution that does not require a monthly subscription or monitoring charges. 

It is always a good idea to compare all of the brands before deciding on an alarm system. Examine the alarm systems’ features as well as the technology they use.

The most popular DIY alarms currently in the market include Yale alarm, Ring alarm, SimpliSafe, to name some. I emphasise ‘currently’ as we have seen several DIY products come and go out of the market.

As DIY alarms do not have to meet some of the higher insurance standards and British Standard grading requirements, they are easier to launch for manufacturers and sometimes more vulnerable to comparable Grade 2 or higher alarms we install. Visonic and Risco are other brands offering more advanced security systems at a lower price.

If cost is a factor in your decision to go with a Yale alarm, we suggest taking a look at the following budget-friendly alarm systems as well.

• Risco WiComm Pro Smart Alarm System
• Visonic Powermaster Wireless Alarm System

4) History of Yale alarm

Yale HSA 3000 series wireless alarm was a big seller in the first decade of the 21st century. They came with their most prominent and probably the best range HSA 6000 series. It is still selling strong despite being in the market for over a decade.

Yale 6400 premium telecommunicating alarm is their best alarm. Other models include Yale 6200 standard alarm and Yale 6300 family alarm.

Both HSA 3000 series and HSA 6000 series work on 433 MHz. This frequency is apparently a European wireless alarm frequency and not the dedicated wireless frequency used for alarms in the UK.

Yale tried to enter the professional-grade alarm market with the Yale SmartHome Alarm range in 2013. It met grade 2 standards and was running on 868 MHz wireless frequency. The product wasn’t a big success, and they had to discontinue it within a couple of years. 

In 2013, Yale introduced the Easy-Fit Range in the UK with EF-Kit 1, EF-Kit 2, and EF–kit 3.

• Kit 1 is Yale Easy Standard Alarm
• Kit 2 is Yale Easy Telecommunicating Alarm
• EF-Kit 3 is their smart alarm range.

These products are still available in some capacity in the market. However, Yale Kit 2 is their most popular product with a white control panel and a black touch display area. 

Yale also introduced their Sync IA range in 2018, and is still widely available in the market. The series has IA – 310, IA -320, IA -330, and IA – 340 alarms. Yale also offers a wide range of safes and offer a DIY range of CCTV systems as well.

5) Which Yale alarm is best?

Yale offers fully battery-operated, bells-only, telecommunication, and smart alarm systems. Despite their decision to discontinue a few product ranges in the last decade due to several reasons, Yale is still one of the most popular and widely sold brands in the DIY security market in the UK.

Yale’s most popular alarm in the last 10 years is Yale 6400 premium telecommunicating alarm. You can use it when you go out and at night and call up to 3 numbers of your choice using your landline at home. Considering the landline is going digital, this system will soon have limited notification capability.

Yale’s new IA range of alarms offers smartphone app connectivity, so that is an excellent option to consider as well. Most popular being IA-330 and IA-340. 

6) What communication feature do I need in a Yale alarm? 

When selecting a Yale alarm system, you must consider what communication feature you want your alarm to have. The alarm system’s communication module allows the device to notify the user if an intrusion is detected. It can communicate via your landline, broadband, or a GSM network. You can select a suitable communication feature for your Yale alarm based on the needs of your property.

7) Do I need additional sensors with a Yale alarm? 

A typical Yale alarm kit consists of the following components.

• Control panel/ Keypad
• A couple of PIR motion detector
• A couple of Door Contacts
• 1 or 2 External live or dummy sirens

These standard packages are rarely sufficient for most properties, and you may require additional sensors. As most Yale alarms now come with sensors pre-programmed, you need to program additional sensors you purchase.

When recommending alarms, the theory we use is to put one motion sensor in every ground floor room where someone can access from outside via door or window and one door contact per each outside door.

8) What types of sensors are available with the Yale alarms?

Yale alarms come with motion sensors and door contacts. They also do key fobs and smoke detectors as add-on devices. However, they do not offer the full range of sensors provided by professional burglar alarms range – such as shock detectors, glass breakers, carbon monoxide sensors, ceiling sensors, outdoor sensors, contacts, or specialist quad sensors for use in conservatories and sun rooms. Yale’s pet-friendly sensors aren’t as good as professional-grade sensors.

9) How to install the Yale alarm?

Yale alarm kits are do-it-yourself in nature, which means you don’t need a professional installer to install them. It comes with an installation manual that walks you through the process of setting up a Yale alarm. You would require necessary tools like drill sets, a sturdy ladder for internal use, and a tall ladder (6 meters plus) to set up an external bell box at the top of the first-floor or second-floor height. 

It is best to hire a professional installer to avoid tampering and damaging the system. You may also end up paying more to have the system repaired. 

A professional Yale installer near you can fit a Yale alarm in under 90 minutes, while a DIY user can take a lot longer and, when things go wrong, significantly longer. 

In 2020 we carried out over 100 visits to complete partially finished Yale installations and more to check and rectify programming errors. 

If you are unsure what to do, give us a call, and our Yale installation specialists can help you with your Yale alarm requirements. 

10) How can I service a Yale alarm? 

Yale does not provide any service plans for its alarm kits. You need to contact a professional company like FHA Security for your alarm’s annual maintenance or repair.

FHA provides yearly alarm maintenance services for all types of Yale alarm kits. You can also ask us for one-off service callouts to rectify any problems you are struggling with. We also carry the most common parts for Yale alarms in our van. Our engineers are all professionally trained and qualified to work on Yale Burglar Alarm.

11) Are Yale alarms insurance approved?

No, Yale alarms are not insurance-approved. Insurance-approved alarm systems are graded alarms that comply with the European standard EN 50131. Yale alarms are DIY systems and are not graded. They meet the CE ratings required for all electrical products.

Always consult your insurance company before purchasing a Yale alarm system, as most of them will ask you to use an insurance-approved alarm system, fitted to PD6667:2017 or equivalent standards by an NSI or SSAIB certified company like FHA Security.

12) What grade are Yale alarms?

There are four alarm grades ranging from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most secure. A grade 2 alarm system is recommended for residential properties. Yale alarm systems, on the other hand, are not graded. All graded alarm systems are professionally installed and in accordance with industry standards.

13) Can I have my Yale alarm monitored by a third party?

If your insurance requires your alarm to be third-party monitored or have police-response with them, you cannot do either of them with the Yale alarm. Non-graded alarms cannot connect to the monitoring stations.

14) What is the average life of Yale alarms?

The average life of a typical Yale alarm is about 7 years, give or take – depending on maintaining it well and servicing it regularly. We have had to replace DIY Yale alarms within weeks due to poor installation, and within the first 2-3 years, lack of service and the alkaline battery discharge damaging sensors.

With Yale refreshing its range every few years, the main challenge with the life of the Yale alarm is the ability to find replacement parts when something goes wrong. 

15) How does the Yale alarm work?

Yale’s current burglar alarm range is fully wireless, and all devices communicate wirelessly using its dedicated alarm frequency. The control panel needs a power supply, and some models require a connection to either a landline or broadband router. Everything else is entirely wireless. 

16) Does it work with voice control devices like google home?

The Latest IA range of Yale smart alarm systems allows for smart device controls. It can easily connect to voice control devices such as Google Home or Alexa. You can use these devices to control the operation of your alarm system. For example, you can tell Alexa to arm your alarm system. This would help to eliminate the need for manual intervention to arm or disarm the alarm system. It is very convenient for people who are already using such devices in their homes.

17) DIY vs Professional alarms? 

When people are looking to purchase a security system, the first question that comes to mind is, “Which system should I purchase? Do-it-yourself or professional security system?”

People are generally perplexed by the vast array of options available on the market. There are a few devices that may initially entice you. For example, people may purchase a DIY product because it is less expensive without thoroughly analysing their requirements. But keep in mind that cheaper is not always better.

Price should never be the only factor when purchasing a home security system. You should always take into account ongoing maintenance, insurance requirements, ability to customise and add specialist sensors. 

In our previous article, “DIY vs Professional Security systems“, we discussed the benefits and drawbacks of each type of system in detail. It is always advisable to evaluate each type of alarm and see which one best meets your needs.

Conclusion

So, whether you are thinking of getting a Yale alarm or have bought a Yale alarm or inherited it, give us a call and let our dedicated Yale alarm specialist offer you no-obligation advice and assist you with fitting your alarm. And if Yale isn’t the solution for you, do not worry. We work with many other leading brands of security solutions in the UK.