How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Atlanta home
Motion sensors are crucial elements in a full-featured home security strategy, as they’ll tell you if an unwanted guest is sneaking around your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Atlanta homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, review our recommendations for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
The majority of home motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They monitor fluctuations in infrared radiation in their detection zone and can determine when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by:
- Pets climbing on tabletops or sofas
- Intense sunlight coming through a window
- Different heat sources, like fireplaces and vents
- Rapid humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another common option that senses motion by continually sending out and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors recognize movement due to alterations in the reflected signal. Any unexpected motion, like curtains shifting when your HVAC fan starts up, can set off an alarm.
Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Atlanta home
Aside from a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are particularly troublesome as they may numb you to genuine threats. Moreover, repeated false alarms may become a frustration for local law enforcement and may affect ensuing response times. Fortunately, you can help avoid them by following these suggestions:
- Inspect the sensitivity settings of your equipment and adjust to your pet’s behavior and size.
- Even when using pet-sensitive motion detectors, it’s advisable not to point them at busy places like feeding stations.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows receiving heavy sunlight.
- Make sure areas are adequately insulated to minimize temperature fluctuations.
- Regularly dust and clean components to keep sensors clear.
- Check batteries and change as needed. Many motion sensors will even inform you when batteries are running out.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure optimal positioning.
You could also opt for hybrid devices that use both active and passive means to identify motion, resulting in greater accuracy.
How to incorporate motion sensors into your Atlanta smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into an automated smart home is a excellent way to boost your convenience and security. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Obtain instant alerts on your cell phone any time motion is found. You could also use them to alert you when your kids arrive home from school.
- Configure interior cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor triggers.
- Change lighting or thermostat settings based on your home’s occupancy. This capability can help reduce energy costs.
Top-tier smart home motion sensors, like the ones installed by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately identify real threats and reduce false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Atlanta from Vivint when you customize your fully functional smart home. Our tools are pet-friendly and let you configure a variety of automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and immediate smartphone notifications. Contact (404) 905-1132 today to design your system.