How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Texarkana home
Motion sensors are crucial aspects in a comprehensive home security plan, as they’ll tell you if an unwanted guest is moving through your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Texarkana homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re searching for solutions, explore our tips on minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
Most residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find movement. They track shifts in infrared radiation within their detection zone and can recognize when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently triggered by:
- Pets jumping on sofas or counters
- Direct sunlight streaming through a window
- A variety of heat sources, like fireplaces and ducts
- Rapid humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause equipment to be overly sensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that discovers motion by constantly broadcasting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors pinpoint movement via alterations in the returning signal. Any unanticipated motion, like curtains shifting when the HVAC fan starts up, can set off an alarm.
Suggestions for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Texarkana home
In addition to losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more problematic as they can desensitize you to actual threats. Moreover, repeated false alarms might become an annoyance for local law enforcement and may influence future response times. Thankfully, you can help prevent them by implementing these tips:
- Check the sensitivity parameters of your equipment and change to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
- Even when you have pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s advisable not to point them at busy areas like food bowls.
- Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows receiving bright sunlight.
- Make certain spaces are sufficiently insulated to prevent extreme temperature fluctuations.
- Dust and clean equipment frequently to keep sensors working properly.
- Inspect batteries and swap out as needed. Many motion sensors will even tell you when batteries are running out.
- Get them installed professionally to ensure optimal positioning.
You could also invest in hybrid devices that use both active and passive tools to identify activity, leading to greater accuracy.
How can you utilize motion sensors in your Texarkana smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into a new smart home is a terrific way to improve your convenience and safety. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Get instant notifications on your smartphone whenever movement is spotted. You could also utilize them to update you when your children get home from school.
- Configure indoor cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor trips.
- Adjust temperature settings or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This capability can help reduce utility expenses.
Top-tier smart home devices, like the models from Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately recognize real threats and decrease false alarms.
Build your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Texarkana from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our sensors are animal-sensitive and allow you to configure a variety of automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and immediate mobile alerts. Reach out to (870) 544-4225 today to design your system.