How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Buffalo home
Motion sensors are crucial components in a comprehensive home security installation, as they’ll let you know if an uninvited guest is sneaking around your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing annoyance and a bad night’s sleep for Buffalo homeowners. If you’re searching for solutions, explore our tips on reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
The majority of residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They monitor fluctuations in infrared radiation within their field of view and can recognize when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are typically triggered by:
- Pets leaping on sofas or counters
- Streams of intense light through a window
- A variety of heat sources, such as fireplaces and vents
- Rapid humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that detects activity by constantly broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors spot movement via alterations in the returning signal. Any unanticipated motion, like curtains swaying when the HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.
Tips for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Buffalo home
In addition to losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly problematic as they may lower your sensitivity to actual risks. Furthermore, repeated false alarms might become a nuisance to emergency providers and may affect response times in the future. Luckily, you can help circumvent them by adhering to these tips:
- Investigate the sensitivity parameters of your devices and modify to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
- Avoid directing them at busy spots like food bowls, even when using animal-friendly detectors.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows receiving bright sunlight.
- Ensure areas are properly insulated to help prevent temperature fluctuations.
- Periodically dust and wipe down devices to ensure proper function.
- Inspect batteries and change as needed. Certain motion detectors will even tell you when batteries are running out.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure proper positioning.
You may also choose dual-technology devices that use both passive and active means to identify movement, resulting in greater accuracy.
How to incorporate motion sensors into your Buffalo smart home?
Installing motion sensors in an automated smart home is a fantastic way to boost your safety and convenience. You’ll be able to do the following:
- Obtain automatic updates on your mobile device when movement is found. You might use them to alert you when your kids arrive home from school.
- Configure indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor is tripped.
- Adjust lighting or temperature settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This capability can help curb energy bills.
Top-tier smart home motion sensors, like those installed by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively detect actual threats and decrease false alarms.
Build your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Buffalo from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are animal-sensitive and allow you to configure a variety of home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery and automatic cell phone alerts. Call (716) 567-8226 today to learn more.