How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Phoenix home
Motion sensors are essential aspects in a comprehensive home security installation, as they’ll tell you if suspicious activity is going on at your house. Sadly, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing irritation and lost sleep for Phoenix homeowners. If you’re searching for solutions, explore our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What causes motion detector false alarms?
Most residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They track changes in infrared radiation within their field of view and can determine when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are frequently triggered by:
- Pets climbing on couches or counters
- Streams of intense sunlight through a window
- Different heat sources, such as vents and fireplaces
- Rapid humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause equipment to be too sensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that senses activity by continuously broadcasting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. Known as active motion sensors, they recognize movement due to modifications in the reflected signal. Any unforseen motion, like curtains shifting when your HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.
Suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Phoenix home
In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly troublesome as they may numb you to real threats. Moreover, recurring false alarms might become a nuisance to local law enforcement and may influence future response times. Thankfully, you can help avoid them by adhering to these suggestions:
- Inspect the sensitivity settings of your devices and modify to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
- Avoid aiming them at busy spots like food bowls, even when using animal-friendly sensors.
- Avoid directing motion detectors at windows exposed to heavy sunlight.
- Make certain spaces are properly insulated to help prevent drastic temperature shifts.
- Frequently dust and wipe off equipment to ensure proper function.
- Monitor batteries and swap out as needed. Many motion sensors will even let you know when batteries are low.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure optimal placement.
You may also invest in hybrid devices that utilize both active and passive means to sense movement, leading to a higher degree of accuracy.
How should you use motion sensors in your Phoenix smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into an automated smart home is a terrific way to improve your convenience and safety. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Get instant updates on your mobile device any time activity is detected. You might also use them to alert you when your kids get home from school.
- Have indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor is tripped.
- Adjust lighting or temperature settings according to whether people are home. This feature can help curb utility costs.
Top smart home motion sensors, like the models installed by Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately detect threats and reduce false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Phoenix from Vivint when you customize your fully functional smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and let you initiate numerous automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and immediate cell phone alerts. Reach out to (602) 755-6051 today to design your system.