How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Tucson home
Motion sensors are crucial elements in a comprehensive home security installation, as they’ll let you know if suspicious activity is transpiring at your house. Regrettably, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing annoyance and lost sleep for Tucson homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, explore our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of residential motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They track changes in infrared radiation inside their field of view and can tell when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are typically triggered by:
- Pets climbing on counters or furniture
- Streams of intense light through a window
- Various heat sources, such as vents and fireplaces
- Sudden temperature or humidity changes, which cause devices to be hypersensitive or unresponsive
Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that discovers movement by continually broadcasting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors spot movement due to modifications in the returning signal. Any unexpected motion, like curtains swaying when an HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.
Tips for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Tucson home
Aside from interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly disruptive as they may desensitize you to actual risks. Moreover, repeated false alarms may become an annoyance for first responders and may impact response times in the future. Thankfully, you can help circumvent them by adhering to these recommendations:
- Inspect the sensitivity settings of your sensors and change to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
- Avoid aiming them at busy places like food bowls, even when you have pet-sensitive detectors.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows receiving bright sunlight.
- Make certain areas are sufficiently insulated to minimize temperature changes.
- Dust and wipe off devices frequently to ensure proper function.
- Monitor batteries and swap out as needed. Some motion detectors will even tell you when batteries are running out.
- Get them installed professionally to ensure optimal positioning.
You may also invest in hybrid devices that utilize both passive and active tools to detect motion, leading to a higher degree of accuracy.
How to utilize motion sensors in your Tucson smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into an automated smart home is a terrific way to enhance your convenience and security. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Receive immediate updates on your smartphone whenever motion is spotted. You might utilize them to alert you when your children arrive home from school.
- Program interior cameras to record when a motion sensor trips.
- Adjust temperature settings or lighting in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help lower energy bills.
Leading smart home motion sensors, like the models from Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify real threats and reduce false alarms.
Build your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Tucson from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and allow you to initiate various home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and automatic mobile alerts. Reach out to (520) 655-6492 today to get started.