Prices, History and how to use the Honeywell Total Connect Security System
Maybe you have bought a cool tech gadget before that looked amazing and then didn’t work as shown. Lots of toys like drones and RC cars fall into that category but should home security? The total connect by Honeywell Security is a new all in one automation system to turn your home into a smart-house. You can’t buy this system directly online like you can other Honeywell systems, you must find a dealer.
One of the major manufacturers of automation and security systems for homes and businesses worldwide is Honeywell. They offer technology for linked homes and businesses that provide safety against intruders, fire, and home automation, in addition to the most cutting-edge IP video and access control.
With the use of the app total connects, you may remotely activate and disarm the alarm in your home or business. Additionally, it will give you the freedom to manage the signal from any location without assistance from a service provider or someone else.
Here’s a glance at the good and the bad of a Honeywell Total Connect security system:
Pros
- Great brand with a long track record of making security equipment
- Used by millions of customers
- Backup batteries
- Used by large and small security companies and businesses
- Smart-home optimized plus home automation integration
Cons
- Not a security monitoring company
- Doesn’t require expert monitoring services
- If purchasing on your own, you have to install it by yourself
- Installation is hard and requires HVAC certification
Time to pull out the wallet…
Pricing really depends on the dealer you buy the Total connect system through. They will be the ones charging you a monthly monitoring fee and installation fee. Because you cannot buy the Total Connect package online (only through a dealer) each dealer is going to offer different promotions and pricing. Based on our other reviews, here is what you can expect as a norm. Any higher than this and you should be suspicious.
Starting costs – This is a higher end system with full energy automation and video. Expect a $99-199 installation or activation fee.
Packages – Make sure you get a good deal. If it is a small local company they may be trying to rip you off. You should get up to 4 window/door sensors, 1-2 motion sensors and 1-2 smart devices such as their camera or thermostat. Anything else on top of that will most likely be out of pocket expenses.
Here is what one dealer is charging for monthly monitoring rates with the total connect plan:
They’ve been around a long time…
Over 100 years of history in making products related to the home.
Founded in 1906 in Indiana.
You may have seen their brand on equipment all throughout your house. Like General Electric, they aren’t a standalone security product producer. That being said they are a very big name in home security and you can rely on the quality of their products.
You must purchase through dealers. Just like manufactures of cars sell to the distributors who you buy a car from, Honeywell sells to authorized dealers who then install their system into your home.
Honeywell does not provide monitoring service of the any of their security systems including the Total Connect. This will be taken care of through whoever you sign up with and pay a monthly company too.
Their name carries weight. Over the years this has been a problem for dealers and Honeywell themselves. Because they have such a powerful brand name, several security companies over the years have done door to door scams claiming to be with Honeywell when they are really only a dealer. Remember, Honeywell security will never knock on your door and try to you sell you an alarm system.
Honeywell Smart security products that will do it all for you…
The Honeywell Total Connect combines your home alarm system + thermostat + security camera’s to your smart phone.
These are the touchscreen panels that accompany the system. They along with security cameras need a direct power source. Their other sensors and detectors are all wireless and can last up to 10 years on a single battery. The sensors will also beep to let you know they need a new battery if and when the time comes.
Upgrading… Thousands of current residents have an older Honeywell system in their home. When a tech comes out to install the Total Connect he may be able to use some of this equipment using a hardwired translator device. This can save you money or you can put the savings towards a free camera.
Home Automation. Most companies like Vivint or ADT Pulse have the lighting controls, smart locks, live streaming from camera’s and smart thermostats in place. What the Total Connect can do what these smart security systems won’t is:
- Operate the shades (window blinds) in your home. This will cost you extra.
- Control your ceiling fans. If you’re just too lazy to get up and flick the switch, connect to your fan with Z-wave.
- GPS zone settings. This adds a level of convenience but talk to your dealer about setting this up first.
- Create automated ‘scenes’. Make a ‘goodnight scene’ (setting) on the app and just by pressing that everything you have setup will take place. Example: Push the button and blinds will close, alarm system lock, fan turn on and baby monitor camera stream audio.
How well does this all work?
It all sounds nice and futuristic but how practical is it? Sadly, not much. Depending on the size of your home, if it is a large one it can come in handy. But for the average home under $250,000 you are better off using the standard app, turning on your own lights and not dealing with the hassle. The fact that over 70% of home security customers (those who pay a monthly monitoring rate) don’t even arm their system as they leave each day because it is too much of a hassle tells us that people won’t use all of these features as much as they initially think they would. If turning your system on and off from an app or key-fob is already too much of a hassle, this stuff will only clutter your to do list more.
Honeywell Theft detection device
This is something unique Honeywell. You can stick this sensor in any high valued product and if it gets stolen actually track it down using their app! Cons: Can’t hide it on high valued items such as jewelry, guns, clothing and more. Good for big items only.
The Total Connect App – Majority of companies pay to get a White-labeled version of Alarm.com’s app for their customers. This app however is made by them and has some cool advanced features. The video streaming works well and you can use it a baby monitor device to save some extra bucks. Streaming it via 3g and 4g can get a little bumpy but if you have WIFI (most places now do) when you are viewing it you will be impressed.
You can download the app for free here.
Our Honeywell final verdict
With so many large and small home security dealers still pushing their keypad control panel and basic solution we hope to see more of them upgrade and start using this total connect system. It has some great features and potential. It is still in the infant and testing stage so you may want to hold off until their price comes down and bug fixes to their app have been fixed.
Although, Honeywell alone is one of the most trusted brands. So, you do not have to worry if you choose them. All you have to do is to choose a great dealers who can install you system.
Hope you liked our review on this and please add any feedback or experience you have had with this product below.
New and Improved: Resideo Total Connect 2.0
If you like what you see in the Honeywell Total Connect, then its predecessor, the Resideo Total Connect 2.0, which comes from the same company, has some excellent improvements. Here they are:
- Remote control
- Smart scenes
- Push notification
- Geofencing
- Video surveillance
- Voice control
- Compatible with IFTTT
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William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
Abette Scent says
Honeywell has been doing an excellent job in recent years, and they have excelled in their field. I really like their Z-wave and the automated scene lighting in the house, aside from the fact that it helps you feel secure inside the house, which will turn cozy and achieve a relaxing ambiance anytime you like. I did not have any regrets about purchasing the Honeywell home security alarm system. Hopefully, in the future, they will enhance more of their equipment so that everyone will notice that every penny you invest in Honeywell is never put to waste.
Dan Worland says
Honeywell seems to go unnoticed to the individual consumer looking to buy home security yet they are HUGE. Dealers use them over GE and their equipment is superior. They are the only company keeping up with (or ahead) with Vivint in home automation innovation (my opinion). It is hard though to buy one of their systems on a DIY basis and connect it all yourself; thus why they go after dealers. I’m loving the new camera doorbell by Honeywell that recently came out.
Chris says
Honeywell/Ademco is the de facto security brand and has been for decades though frankly they have fallen behind in technology but are trying to fix this with their Lyric all-in-one system. Any legitimate security company can monitor a Honeywell security system, regardless if wired or wireless. Every security system has a backdoor so not knowing the passcode is easy to correct assuming you have full access to the control panel. I agree with the author that many features on security panels are not used, or even needed by most customers, but always nice to have just in case.
Look online for central station monitoring as well as interactive services so you can arm/disarm, control zwave devices, etc from anywhere. Pricing is half of what most local dealers and ADT will charge – and usually no multiyear contracts. This is where most dealers make their money, monitoring.
Jack dawson says
Why should I buy their unnecessary add-ons such as their sensors when there are many options of value for money camera surveillance solutions in the market. Minting money for ages with outdated technologies..When I have my pet dog at home, these outdated ones are just buck burners..long live these products.
Tom says
I am interested in getting the Honeywell Lynx Touch L7000 wireless alarm systems, but my question is, do I need total connect or these monitoring companies such as alarm.com,ADT or other providers to remotely access and control my system? Can I use 3rd parties apps to remotely access and use the automation function without subscribing? I am not talking about calling 911, I believe most cheap providers can offer this service, but I find it somewhat disappointing to know that I can’t use the full functionality of these system unless I go back to the manufacturer or vendor!
MICHAEL HALPRIN says
I am being told, that I have a honeywell system in my current new bought home without the password, I am being told that the control has to be changed out, and I will be charged for the 4 cameras at around 150 per outdoor camera and $200 for the doorbell camera to be sold in about 2 months when its slimmer. The monthly cost is $62.00 per month and no mention of thermostat or Z waves or anything like that. Now I have every door contact already in place, every motion detector in place and even a siren in the ac filter location. Why am I being charged $62.00 per month with a $550 installation, Includes the 3 cameras, when I see Frontline charging $45 per month
Alarm Reviews says
Hey Michael,
Depends who your monitoring company is that is using the Honeywell system in your home. Honeywell and GE are compatible with most home security providers and it is up to them how much they charge to monitor your home. Find out who it is and then cancel and sign up with a new company. The new provider may use some of your existing equipment or just get you a full new home alarm system. Hope that helps!
Alex says
Hi Michael,
Don’t give these sharks any money to rip out your equipment. I run into this all the time. They just want to standardize to their product line for ease of service. There are other options available for cameras as well. You can put in a separate DVR with no monthly fees for remote connection. You can also look at adding a Tuxedo Touch to your existing system. Yes, you are looking at larger upfront product costs, but your monitoring costs will be way below $62 or even $45 a month. Basically when you buy the product, you own it and have full control over your system; which is real peace of mind.