How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Nashville home
Motion sensors are critical components in a multi-layered home security plan, as they’ll let you know if suspicious activity is transpiring at your house. Regrettably, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing annoyance and lost sleep for Nashville homeowners. If you’re searching for solutions, explore our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.
What initiates motion detector false alarms?
Most home motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They track changes in infrared radiation within their field of view and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently triggered by:
- Pets jumping on furniture or tabletops
- Bright sunlight streaming through a window
- Different heat sources, like fireplaces and air ducts
- Rapid temperature or humidity changes, which cause equipment to be too sensitive or non-functional
Microwave motion sensors are an additional widespread option that senses activity by continually broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Called active motion sensors, they recognize movement due to alterations in the returning signal. Any unanticipated movement, like curtains swaying when your HVAC fan starts up, can trigger an alarm.
Suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Nashville home
In addition to losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly problematic as they can desensitize you to actual threats. Moreover, recurring false alarms can become a frustration for first responders and may influence future response times. Fortunately, you can help prevent them by adhering to these tips:
- Investigate the sensitivity parameters of your equipment and change to your animal’s behavior and size.
- Even when using animal-friendly motion detectors, it’s wise not to direct them at high-traffic places like food dispensers.
- Avoid directing motion detectors at windows exposed to bright sunlight.
- Ensure areas are adequately insulated to minimize extreme temperature shifts.
- Periodically dust and wipe down components to keep sensors working properly.
- Check batteries and change as needed. Many motion sensors will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure correct placement.
You might also invest in dual-technology devices that utilize both active and passive means to detect movement, providing improved accuracy.
How to utilize motion sensors in your Nashville smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into an automated smart home is a terrific way to improve your convenience and safety. You’ll be able to do the following:
- Receive immediate updates on your mobile device any time motion is detected. You might use them to alert you when your kids get home from school.
- Configure interior cameras to record any time a motion sensor triggers.
- Adjust lighting or thermostat settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help lower energy expenses.
Top smart home motion sensors, like the models offered by Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively detect real threats and decrease false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Nashville from Vivint when you design your fully integrated smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and let you configure a variety of automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and immediate mobile updates. Contact (615) 908-3403 today to design your system.