At one point, intercom systems were pretty much just used in schools to make the daily announcements and ask teachers to come down to the office. Most people heard something announced over an intercom every day until they were 18 and never really thought anything of it.
The reality is that there are many more ways to use an intercom than how it is used in a school setting. For the purposes of this article, we will be discussing various areas about using one in your house. They can add convenience, security, and sometimes even interesting features (such as allowing you to play music from a central spot to anywhere throughout your house). Today, intercoms are used in many homes for mutliple simple tasks. They can be used as a doorbell, an intercom at a gate to talk to visitors, and they can even be used to call your family downstairs when dinner is ready!
There are multiple different types of home intercom systems that can add functionality to your house. For example, when most people think of intercoms, they imagine a unit built into the wall with a button to connect to another room so they can communicate (Lame!). While this is a valid (and often very handy) functionality, they now have wireless intercoms that can be taken anywhere, even outside your house! Intercom systems such as these don’t even need to be connected to a wall charger to work.
Another type of system that you can consider is a video intercom. A video intercom system can be supplemented with a door intercom so that the owner can both see and hear the person who is at their door. It can even be used throughout the houseto add to a home security system. Imagine standing in your living room (or any room for that matter) and being able to see what is happening in every room of your house!
Intercoms are used in a wide variety of places these days. Apartment complexes use them as a doorbell system for each unit. They even allow the tenant to unlock the door from a distant location (i.e. their own apartments). Most office phones now have features similar to an intercom; simply push a button and you’re instantly talking to your co-worker across the office.
There are quite a few options to select from with home intercom systems, and many different ways to install and utilize them. When choosing how to implement one in your own house, you have to consider many things. You need to think about your individual needs. The way in which you intend on using your intercom will assist you in figuring out what you want. For instance, if you would like to talk with everyone in your houseat all times, no matter where you are, a more convenient wireless intercom system might be a good idea. However, if you just want a doorbell that will let you to talk to your guests, it might be better to have an in-wall unit put in your home.
There is a lot to think about with home intercom systems, but hopefully this article has helped you figure out what you need!
For further reading, be sure to check out my article about home intercom systems.