How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Huntington home
Motion sensors are essential elements in a comprehensive home security plan, as they’ll alert you whenever unexpected activity is occurring at your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Huntington homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, review our suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What initiates motion detector false alarms?
The majority of household motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They sense fluctuations in infrared radiation inside their coverage zone and can determine when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are typically caused by:
- Pets leaping on sofas or countertops
- Direct sunlight streaming through a window
- Various heat sources, such as fireplaces and vents
- Sudden humidity or temperature shifts, which cause equipment to be overly sensitive or non-functional
Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that senses motion by constantly broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors recognize movement due to changes in the returning signal. Any unexpected movement, like curtains shifting when an HVAC fan turns on, can set off an alarm.
Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Huntington home
Beyond a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly problematic as they might desensitize you to actual threats. Additionally, recurring false alarms can become a nuisance to first responders and may impact response times in the future. Luckily, you can help prevent them by adhering to these recommendations:
- Inspect the sensitivity parameters of your devices and modify to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Avoid directing them at high-traffic places like food dispensers, even when you have pet-friendly detectors.
- Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows that receive intense sunlight.
- Ensure areas are properly insulated to prevent drastic temperature changes.
- Periodically dust and wipe off devices to keep sensors clear.
- Inspect batteries and replace as needed. Certain motion sensors will even tell you when batteries are low.
- Get them installed professionally to ensure optimal positioning.
You may also choose multi-function devices that use both passive and active means to identify movement, providing a higher degree of accuracy.
How should you use motion sensors in your Huntington smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into an automated smart home is a terrific way to improve your safety and convenience. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Receive immediate notifications on your cell phone whenever movement is found. You might also program them to update you when your little ones get home from school.
- Program indoor cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor is tripped.
- Alter lighting or thermostat settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help curb utility bills.
Top-tier smart home motion sensors, like those from Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify real threats and reduce false alarms.
Create your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Huntington from Vivint when you plan your comprehensive smart home. Our tools are pet-sensitive and let you configure numerous home automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery and immediate cell phone notifications. Reach out to (304) 902-8188 today to get started.