How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Huntsville home

Motion sensors are critical aspects in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll alert you whenever suspicious activity is going on at your house. Regrettably, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Huntsville homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, check out our recommendations for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of household motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They sense changes in infrared radiation in their detection zone and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently caused by: 

• Pets jumping on sofas or countertops
• Intense sunlight shining through a window
• Different heat sources, like ducts and fireplaces
• Drastic humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause devices to be overly sensitive or non-reactive

Microwave motion sensors are an additional widespread option that detects activity by constantly broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Referred to as active motion detectors, they spot movement due to changes in the returning signal. Any unanticipated activity, like curtains swaying when the HVAC fan starts up, can set off an alarm.

Tips for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Huntsville home

Beyond interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly disruptive as they might numb you to actual threats. Moreover, repeated false alarms might become an annoyance for first responders and may impact future response times. Thankfully, you can help circumvent them by adhering to these suggestions:

• Inspect the sensitivity parameters of your sensors and modify to your pet’s behavior and size.
• Avoid directing them at high-traffic spots like feeding stations, even when you have pet-sensitive detectors.
• Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows receiving bright sunlight.
• Make certain spaces are adequately insulated to help prevent temperature fluctuations.
• Frequently dust and wipe down equipment to keep sensors clear.
• Inspect batteries and replace as needed. Certain devices will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure correct positioning.

You may also choose dual-technology devices that employ both passive and active means to sense activity, leading to greater accuracy.

How to utilize motion sensors in your Huntsville smart home?

Installing motion sensors in an automated smart home is a excellent way to boost your convenience and safety. You’ll be able to do the following:

• Receive automatic alerts on your smartphone any time movement is spotted. You could also program them to alert you when your little ones arrive home from school.
• Program indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor trips.
• Change lighting or temperature settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This feature can help curb energy expenses.

Top smart home motion detectors, like the models from Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively detect threats and reduce false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Huntsville from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our tools are animal-sensitive and allow you to program numerous home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery life and instant cell phone alerts. Call (256) 330-4373 today to learn more.