How to upgrade & fix an old Honeywell Accenta or Optima alarm
Beeping, false alarms, a dead keypad or a nagging tamper fault - Honeywell's Accenta and Optima panels are tough, but they were designed over 20 years ago. Here's what's usually going wrong, and the best ways to repair or upgrade one.
An entry-level Honeywell system, still going strong in thousands of homes
The Accenta is an entry-level wired alarm system built by Honeywell in the early 2000s. Optima is its smaller sister product, built on the same underlying technology - the main difference being that the Accenta comes with a remote keypad as standard.
Both are solidly built systems, which is exactly why so many are still fitted and working today. But two decades on, ageing components, tired batteries and outdated keypads mean most systems now need either a repair or a proper upgrade.
AMCO & Honeywell Accenta/Optima
AMCO are specialists in Honeywell Accenta and Optima systems nationwide, established over 25 years ago. Whether you need a quick fix or a full upgrade, our engineers know these systems inside out.
The good news: your wiring is almost certainly reusable
Honeywell still manufactures the Accenta/Optima range today, and because it's a wired system, the existing cabling in your walls is compatible with a straightforward panel replacement. That gives you two realistic options: repair the system you already have, or take the opportunity to upgrade and replace it with something more capable.
Repair
Fix the specific fault - a battery, a sensor or a keypad - and keep the rest of the system as it is.
Upgrade
Replace the panel and keypad with a modern system, reusing your existing wiring and sensors where possible.
Common Accenta alarm problems - and what usually causes them
Recognise one of these? Here's what's most likely going on before an engineer even arrives.
Keeps beeping
Usually a low or failing battery, though it can also point to a fault on one of the zones.
False alarming
Most often a faulty sensor - typically a PIR (movement detector) that's become unreliable with age.
Keypad not working
Ageing keypads tend to fail outright rather than intermittently, and usually just need replacing.
Red power light flashing
A sign of a power supply or battery problem - worth having checked before the backup battery fails.
Tamper fault
Points to an issue with the keypad, the main control unit, or a sensor - e.g. a loose PIR lid.
Not sure what's wrong with your Accenta alarm?
Give us a few details about the fault and we'll advise the best fix - repair, part-replace, or upgrade.
The best way to upgrade an Accenta or Optima system
Our recommended route is replacing the ageing Accenta panel with the Texecom Premier Elite - a modern, modular panel that keeps your existing wiring in place while opening up:
App functionality
Add a SmartCom module so you can arm, disarm and check on your alarm from your phone.
See the app guideWireless sensors
Add a wireless expander, then bring in anywhere from 8 to 32 wireless devices to the system.
Modern LCD keypads
Swap your old fixed keypad for a modern, backlit LCD keypad that's far easier to read and use.
View keypad designsNew external bellbox
Replace your tired old bellbox with a modern one, complete with LED warning lights.
Sensors, contacts and keypads can all be replaced individually
If a full panel swap isn't needed yet, PIR/movement sensors, door contacts and vibration sensors can all be replaced with modern Texecom alternatives, wired straight into your existing system.
Keypad replacement is available too, but it isn't a DIY job - removing an Accenta keypad yourself, without the engineer's code, will trigger a tamper alarm. This is one for a professional to handle.
Don't remove the keypad yourself
Without the correct engineer's code, unclipping an old Accenta keypad will set off a tamper alarm. Book one of our engineers and it's a five-minute job.
Book an engineerA full panel & keypad swap future-proofs your system for 20+ years
Replacing both the panel and keypad with the Texecom Premier Elite gives you the same flexibility that made the Accenta last so long - plus wired and wireless device support, and a modular design that can be expanded and updated for decades to come, just as Honeywell's original system was.
Don't need a new panel? Add monitoring instead
If your Accenta or Optima system is otherwise working fine, you don't have to replace it to get better protection. AMCO's LiveTalk alarm monitoring can be added to most existing wired systems, giving you 24/7 monitored response without a full system replacement.
- Works alongside your existing Accenta/Optima panel
- 24/7 monitored response, without a full upgrade
- A quick, lower-cost step up in protection
Prefer to add monitoring instead of a full upgrade?
Find out whether LiveTalk monitoring can be added to your existing Accenta or Optima system.
We can take over your existing system - no strings attached
It's a straightforward job for AMCO to take over an existing wired Honeywell system and upgrade it, whoever installed it originally. You don't need to already be an AMCO customer - just get in touch and we'll take it from there.
Why customers choose AMCO
- Over 25 years specialising in Honeywell Accenta/Optima systems
- Nationwide coverage - no need to already be an AMCO customer
- Straightforward takeover of existing wired systems
Free, no-obligation
Ready to fix or upgrade your Accenta alarm?
Our approach is simple: keep your existing wiring and sensors where we can, and just upgrade the panel and keypad. Nationwide service, honest advice, no pushy sales.
Get your free AMCO security quote
Tell us a little about what you'd like to protect and a member of our family-run team will be in touch - no pressure, no jargon.
- Most quotes sorted in minutes by phone
- SSAIB accredited · 100% insurance compliant
- Spring offer: up to £100 off installation
Covering England, Scotland & Wales