How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Boston home
Motion sensors are essential aspects in a multi-layered home security installation, as they’ll tell you if an unwelcome guest is moving through your house. Sadly, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing Boston homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, explore our recommendations for reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
Most residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify movement. They sense fluctuations in infrared radiation in their field of view and can tell when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are frequently caused by:
- Pets leaping on countertops or couches
- Bursts of direct sunlight through a window
- Various heat sources, like air ducts and fireplaces
- Rapid temperature or humidity changes, which cause equipment to be overly sensitive or non-functional
Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that senses movement by continually broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors spot movement due to modifications in the reflected signal. Any unforseen motion, like curtains swaying when an HVAC fan turns on, can set off an alarm.
Tips for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Boston home
Beyond interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more disruptive as they might numb you to real threats. Moreover, frequent false alarms can become a frustration for emergency providers and may influence ensuing response times. Luckily, you can help circumvent them by implementing these suggestions:
- Inspect the sensitivity parameters of your equipment and change to your furry friend’s behavior and size.
- Even when using animal-friendly motion sensors, it’s wise not to direct them at busy areas like food dispensers.
- Avoid pointing motion detectors at windows receiving intense sunlight.
- Ensure spaces are sufficiently insulated to prevent drastic temperature shifts.
- Periodically dust and wipe down devices to keep sensors clear.
- Inspect batteries and replace as needed. Some devices will even inform you when batteries are low.
- Get them installed professionally to ensure proper placement.
You might also choose hybrid devices that employ both active and passive tools to detect activity, resulting in a higher degree of accuracy.
How should you incorporate motion sensors into your Boston smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into an automated smart home is a terrific way to enhance your safety and convenience. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Get automatic alerts on your smartphone when activity is spotted. You could also use them to notify you when your children get home from school.
- Have interior cameras to record when a motion sensor is tripped.
- Change thermostat settings or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This capability can help reduce utility bills.
Leading smart home motion detectors, like those installed by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively detect threats and minimize false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Boston from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our tools are pet-sensitive and allow you to configure a variety of home automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and immediate mobile updates. Call (617) 826-8647 today to get started.