How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Tyler home
Motion sensors are essential aspects in a comprehensive home security strategy, as they’ll tell you if suspicious activity is occurring at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing annoyance and lost sleep for Tyler homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, review our recommendations for cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.
What causes motion detector false alarms?
The majority of household motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They monitor changes in infrared radiation in their field of view and can tell when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by:
- Pets climbing on furniture or tabletops
- Flashes of bright light through a window
- Various heat sources, such as ducts and fireplaces
- Rapid humidity or temperature changes, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that senses movement by continually broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors pinpoint movement through alterations in the returning signal. Any unforseen activity, like curtains shifting when the HVAC fan starts up, can set off an alarm.
Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Tyler home
Aside from interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly troublesome as they can lower your sensitivity to actual threats. Additionally, frequent false alarms might become an annoyance for local law enforcement and may affect response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help circumvent them by following these tips:
- Investigate the sensitivity settings of your equipment and change to your pet’s size and behavior.
- Even when using pet-sensitive motion sensors, it’s smart not to point them at high-activity places like feeding stations.
- Avoid pointing motion sensors at windows exposed to heavy sunlight.
- Make sure rooms are sufficiently insulated to prevent temperature fluctuations.
- Regularly dust and wipe down components to keep sensors clear.
- Monitor batteries and swap out as needed. Many motion sensors will even tell you when batteries are running out.
- Get them installed professionally to ensure correct placement.
You may also opt for dual-technology devices that employ both active and passive sensors to sense motion, providing greater accuracy.
How should you incorporate motion sensors into your Tyler smart home?
Installing motion sensors in an automated smart home is a terrific way to enhance your convenience and security. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Obtain instant notifications on your smartphone any time activity is detected. You could also use them to alert you when your children arrive home from school.
- Configure indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor trips.
- Adjust lighting or temperature levels based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help reduce utility bills.
Leading smart home devices, like the models offered by Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify real threats and reduce false alarms.
Build your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Tyler from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our sensors are pet-friendly and allow you to configure various home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery and automatic smartphone notifications. Contact (903) 459-7565 today to get started.