How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your El Paso home
Motion sensors are crucial components in a comprehensive home security plan, as they’ll alert you whenever an unwanted guest is sneaking around your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing frustration and a bad night’s sleep for El Paso homeowners. If you’re searching for solutions, check out our tips on minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What causes motion detector false alarms?
Most household motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They sense shifts in infrared radiation inside their field of view and can recognize when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically caused by:
- Pets leaping on countertops or furniture
- Bright sunlight streaming through a window
- Various heat sources, like ducts and fireplaces
- Rapid humidity or temperature shifts, which cause devices to be hypersensitive or unresponsive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional common option that detects movement by continuously sending out and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors pinpoint movement due to changes in the returning signal. Any unexpected motion, like curtains swaying when an HVAC fan turns on, can set off an alarm.
Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your El Paso home
Beyond losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly problematic as they may desensitize you to genuine risks. Moreover, frequent false alarms can become an annoyance for local law enforcement and may influence response times in the future. Luckily, you can help avoid them by implementing these suggestions:
- Investigate the sensitivity parameters of your devices and change to your pet’s behavior and size.
- Even if you have animal-friendly motion sensors, it’s advisable not to direct them at busy spots like food dispensers.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows exposed to bright sunlight.
- Ensure rooms are sufficiently insulated to minimize extreme temperature changes.
- Dust and wipe off devices regularly to ensure proper function.
- Inspect batteries and change as needed. Certain motion detectors will even tell you when batteries are running out.
- Get them installed professionally to ensure correct placement.
You could also opt for hybrid devices that use both passive and active sensors to sense activity, leading to greater accuracy.
How to incorporate motion sensors into your El Paso smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into a new smart home is a terrific way to enhance your convenience and security. You’ll be able to do the following:
- Get instant notifications on your mobile device whenever movement is detected. You could also utilize them to update you when your little ones arrive home from school.
- Have indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor triggers.
- Adjust thermostat settings or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help curb utility expenses.
Top smart home devices, like those from Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately recognize actual threats and minimize false alarms.
Create your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in El Paso from Vivint when you plan your comprehensive smart home. Our tools are animal-sensitive and permit you to program numerous automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery and immediate smartphone updates. Reach out to (915) 465-3064 today to learn more.