How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your St. George home

Motion sensors are crucial components in a full-featured home security plan, as they’ll alert you whenever an unwanted guest is prowling around your house. Regrettably, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing St. George homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re trying to find solutions, check out our recommendations for cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What initiates motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of household motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They monitor changes in infrared radiation inside their field of view and can recognize when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently initiated by: 

• Pets climbing on sofas or counters
• Flashes of bright daylight through a window
• A variety of heat sources, like fireplaces and ducts
• Rapid temperature or humidity changes, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that detects movement by continuously emitting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Referred to as active motion sensors, they pinpoint movement via alterations in the returning signal. Any unanticipated movement, like curtains shifting when the HVAC fan kicks on, can initiate an alarm.

Tips for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your St. George home

In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly troublesome as they might desensitize you to real risks. Additionally, recurring false alarms can become a nuisance to emergency providers and may influence future response times. Thankfully, you can help circumvent them by following these suggestions:

• Investigate the sensitivity settings of your sensors and adjust to your pet’s behavior and size.
• Avoid pointing them at high-traffic areas like feeding stations, even when you have pet-sensitive sensors.
• Avoid pointing motion detectors at windows receiving intense sunlight.
• Ensure spaces are adequately insulated to prevent drastic temperature shifts.
• Dust and clean devices regularly to keep sensors clear.
• Check batteries and change as needed. Many motion detectors will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure optimal placement.

You might also opt for dual-technology devices that utilize both passive and active sensors to detect motion, providing improved accuracy.

How to utilize motion sensors in your St. George smart home?

Installing motion sensors in a new smart home is a fantastic way to improve your security and convenience. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:

• Receive immediate updates on your smartphone whenever movement is found. You might also use them to notify you when your little ones get home from school.
• Program cameras to record any time a motion sensor triggers.
• Adjust temperature settings or lighting in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This feature can help lower energy bills.

Top smart home motion detectors, like the ones offered by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively detect actual threats and reduce false alarms.

Build your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors

Get the top motion sensors in St. George from Vivint when you customize your fully integrated smart home. Our tools are pet-sensitive and permit you to initiate numerous home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery life and instant mobile notifications. Reach out to (435) 375-3735 today to learn more.