What if your home or business could be safer and friendlier at the same time?
An entrance alert chime makes for a perfect residential or commercial addition which is why they are hot and trending. However, many customers don't know what they should be looking for when it comes to these chimes.
Wondering what the best qualities of an entry chime are? Keep reading to discover the secrets!
What Is an Entrance Alert Chime?
We've put together a solid list of what you should consider before buying an entrance alert chime. First, though, we need to establish what a door entry chime actually is.
These are basically door sensors that emit a special sound when someone comes through the door. Most sensors are placed on doors, but some people place them in windows or other areas for security purposes.
The easiest ones to set up are contact-based, though some are actually motion-based (more on this in a bit).
All door entry chimes function in the same basic way. However, they have different qualities you should consider before buying one (or more) for your home or business.
1. Pleasant Sound
It sounds basic, but the first thing you should check out is what the door entry chime actually sounds like. You are going to want this to be a relatively pleasant noise for everyone's sake.
For example, many businesses install such charms to let them know when a customer has walked into the building. But on a busy day, you might end up hearing that alarm countless times.
An unpleasant noise can be a turnoff for those customers and an annoyance to you. Be sure to pick a chime that you will still like after you hear it a 100 times in a single day!
2. Volume Level
In addition to the actual sound of the entry chime, you should check the volume. Ideally, the alarm will have different volume settings that you can adjust.
Some businesses use entry chimes as a kind of security measure. Customers hear the noise and know they cannot sneak around. But if they cannot hear the noise, this doesn't work!
At the same time, you don't want something that is too loud. This can be very jarring to customers walking into your business, and it might be enough to send them back out of the door.
3. Motion vs. Contact
As we said before, there are two basic kinds of door entry devices. Some are based on contact, like when a door is pushed open. Others are based on any motion they detect.
Which kind of chime you want depends on your needs. A simple contact-based alarm is good for most homes or businesses if you simply want to know when someone has walked in.
The motion-based devices are a great way to know when someone has entered a particular section. By setting up different chime noises in different parts of a store, you can enhance customer service by knowing where customers are at all times.
4. Smart Functionality
Speaking of multiple devices, you are going to need some way to organize and control everything. And that means getting chimes that have smart functionality.
Such functionality can let you control various factors (like noise and volume) from your smartphone. And you can even connect the chimes themselves to other technology such as a security camera.
If you're only getting one chime and just want to know when someone comes in the door, the smart functionality may be overkill. But for anyone getting multiple devices, this can be a real time-saver.
5. Kits vs. Finished Products
Like we said before, these door entry chimes can be very simple or very complex. And that brings its own factors for you to consider.
For example, many of these devices are sold as kits. That means you would have to put everything together yourself.
And you need more "DIY" skills if you want to add various bells and whistles. This includes connecting the sensors to cameras or taking advantage of other smart features.
If you are not a big DIY person, you may want to focus on simple, completed devices. These chimes are basically "plug and play" and can be used right away!
6. Maintenance Timeline
No matter how plug and play the device is, you are going to need to engage in some maintenance. It's good to check the fine print and figure out exactly what your maintenance timeline looks like.
For example, different chimes may use different power sources. And these sources are going to need to be monitored and replaced on a regular basis. This is why some customers prefer wired door entry chimes.
If possible, you should also figure out how long most consumers use these devices before replacing them. You don't want to rely on these things for security if they are going to become outdated and ineffective after a few years!
7. Range Considerations
Whether it's for your home or business, another big consideration is the range of the device. A greater range gives you more options when it comes to using the door entry chime.
Short ranges are suitable for most businesses. If your front desk is close to the door, then it's easy for security or secretarial staff to hear when someone has entered the building.
Long ranges may be better for certain homes. For example, you may want to hear a front door chime when you are in your bedroom or backyard. This keeps you from missing visitors but requires improved range.
8. Indoors vs. Outdoors
In rare circumstances, there is one final consideration you must make: whether the device will be indoors or outdoors.
Most of these devices were designed for indoor use. As such, they can be easily damaged or destroyed by the elements outside.
If you must use a chime outside, try to develop some way of protecting the delicate equipment from rain and other elements.
The Bottom Line
Now you know how to shop for an entrance alert chime device. But do you know where to find what you need?
At Reliable Chimes, we are here to make your home or business more secure than ever before. To see how we can help you get started, check out our featured products today!