How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Springfield home

Motion sensors are crucial components in a comprehensive home security plan, as they’ll alert you whenever an unwelcome guest is sneaking around your house. Sadly, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing Springfield homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re searching for solutions, check out our tips on reducing motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

Most home motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify movement. They track changes in infrared radiation in their coverage zone and can recognize when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are frequently initiated by: 

• Pets climbing on furniture or counters
• Direct sunlight shining through a window
• Various heat sources, such as ducts and fireplaces
• Sudden humidity or temperature shifts, which cause components to be hypersensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are an additional widespread option that detects motion by constantly sending out and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Called active motion sensors, they recognize movement due to changes in the returning signal. Any unanticipated motion, like curtains moving when the HVAC fan starts up, can initiate an alarm.

Ideas for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Springfield home

Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be even more disruptive as they can numb you to genuine risks. Furthermore, frequent false alarms might become a nuisance to emergency providers and may impact future response times. Thankfully, you can help avoid them by implementing these tips:

• Inspect the sensitivity levels of your equipment and change to your animal’s behavior and size.
• Even when you have pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s wise not to direct them at busy spots like food bowls.
• Avoid directing motion sensors at windows that receive bright sunlight.
• Make certain spaces are sufficiently insulated to prevent extreme temperature shifts.
• Dust and clean devices frequently to keep sensors clear.
• Check batteries and replace as needed. Many motion sensors will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure proper placement.

You might also choose hybrid devices that use both passive and active tools to detect activity, resulting in improved accuracy.

How should you utilize motion sensors in your Springfield smart home?

Integrating motion sensors into a modern smart home is a excellent way to boost your safety and convenience. You’ll be able to do the following:

• Get immediate alerts on your smartphone whenever movement is found. You might program them to update you when your children arrive home from school.
• Program cameras to record any time a motion sensor trips.
• Change thermostat settings or lighting according to whether people are home. This capability can help lower energy costs.

Top smart home motion sensors, like the ones offered by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively detect threats and decrease false alarms.

Design your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get the top motion sensors in Springfield from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our tools are pet-sensitive and let you program a variety of automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery life and instant mobile updates. Contact (413) 277-7517 today to get started.