How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Evansville home
Motion sensors are essential components in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll let you know if suspicious activity is occurring at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Evansville homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, check out our suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What causes motion detector false alarms?
The majority of home motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They track changes in infrared radiation inside their coverage zone and can determine when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by:
- Pets climbing on tabletops or couches
- Direct sunlight coming through a window
- Different heat sources, such as fireplaces and ducts
- Rapid temperature or humidity changes, which cause devices to be overly sensitive or non-functional
Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that detects motion by continuously sending out and assessing electromagnetic waves. Known as active motion sensors, they spot movement due to modifications in the reflected signal. Any unanticipated movement, like curtains shifting when an HVAC fan starts up, can set off an alarm.
Suggestions for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Evansville home
Beyond a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more disruptive as they may numb you to real threats. Moreover, recurring false alarms can become an annoyance for local law enforcement and may influence response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help prevent them by implementing these tips:
- Check the sensitivity levels of your sensors and change to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Even if you have pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s advisable not to point them at high-traffic places like food dispensers.
- Avoid directing motion sensors at windows receiving heavy sunlight.
- Make certain areas are sufficiently insulated to minimize extreme temperature changes.
- Dust and clean equipment frequently to keep sensors clear.
- Check batteries and swap out as needed. Certain devices will even tell you when batteries are low.
- Get them installed professionally to ensure optimal placement.
You might also choose hybrid devices that use both active and passive tools to identify activity, providing greater accuracy.
How should you use motion sensors in your Evansville smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into a new smart home is a excellent way to boost your security and convenience. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Get automatic notifications on your mobile device whenever motion is found. You might also use them to alert you when your little ones get home from school.
- Configure indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor triggers.
- Adjust lighting or thermostat settings according to whether people are home. This functionality can help reduce energy bills.
Leading smart home motion sensors, like the ones from Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify real threats and decrease false alarms.
Create your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Evansville from Vivint when you design your fully functional smart home. Our devices are pet-sensitive and let you configure numerous automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and immediate smartphone notifications. Reach out to (812) 310-5880 today to design your system.