How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Morgantown home
Motion sensors are essential elements in a multi-layered home security plan, as they’ll tell you if an unwelcome guest is prowling around your house. Sadly, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing frustration and a bad night’s sleep for Morgantown homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, explore our recommendations for cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
Most home motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify movement. They monitor fluctuations in infrared radiation within their coverage zone and can determine when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are typically initiated by:
- Pets leaping on couches or tabletops
- Streams of bright light through a window
- Different heat sources, like air ducts and fireplaces
- Rapid humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause devices to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that senses motion by constantly broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. Known as active motion sensors, they spot movement through changes in the returning signal. Any unforseen motion, like curtains shifting when an HVAC fan turns on, can set off an alarm.
Ideas for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Morgantown home
Beyond a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly disruptive as they may numb you to actual dangers. Moreover, frequent false alarms might become an annoyance for local law enforcement and may impact response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help circumvent them by implementing these recommendations:
- Inspect the sensitivity levels of your devices and change to your furry friend’s behavior and size.
- Even if you have pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s smart not to aim them at high-activity spots like food bowls.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows exposed to bright sunlight.
- Make certain rooms are sufficiently insulated to help prevent temperature shifts.
- Dust and wipe off components regularly to ensure proper function.
- Inspect batteries and change as needed. Some motion sensors will even let you know when batteries are low.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure proper placement.
You could also choose multi-function devices that employ both active and passive tools to detect movement, leading to improved accuracy.
How can you incorporate motion sensors into your Morgantown smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into an automated smart home is a fantastic way to enhance your safety and convenience. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Obtain automatic updates on your smartphone whenever activity is detected. You might also program them to alert you when your children come home from school.
- Configure indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor triggers.
- Alter lighting or thermostat settings based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help curb energy bills.
Top-tier smart home motion detectors, like the ones installed by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify actual threats and reduce false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Morgantown from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our tools are pet-sensitive and allow you to configure numerous home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery and automatic mobile notifications. Reach out to (304) 903-6090 today to get started.