How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Lancaster home
Motion sensors are critical components in a multi-layered home security installation, as they’ll tell you if an uninvited guest is moving through your house. Regrettably, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing Lancaster homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re searching for solutions, explore our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What initiates motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of household motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They sense shifts in infrared radiation in their detection zone and can determine when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are often caused by:
- Pets leaping on sofas or counters
- Streams of bright light through a window
- Different heat sources, like ducts and fireplaces
- Rapid temperature or humidity shifts, which cause components to be overly sensitive or non-functional
Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that senses activity by continually sending out and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement via changes in the returning signal. Any unanticipated activity, like curtains moving when your HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.
Tips for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Lancaster home
Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly problematic as they might desensitize you to real dangers. Additionally, repeated false alarms may become a frustration for emergency providers and may impact ensuing response times. Thankfully, you can help avoid them by adhering to these suggestions:
- Investigate the sensitivity parameters of your equipment and change to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Avoid pointing them at busy spots like feeding stations, even when you have pet-sensitive detectors.
- Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows receiving heavy sunlight.
- Make sure rooms are adequately insulated to minimize temperature fluctuations.
- Frequently dust and wipe down equipment to keep sensors working properly.
- Check batteries and swap out as needed. Many devices will even let you know when batteries are low.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure correct placement.
You could also opt for multi-function devices that employ both active and passive means to identify movement, providing greater accuracy.
How to utilize motion sensors in your Lancaster smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into a modern smart home is a excellent way to enhance your convenience and security. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Obtain automatic updates on your mobile device any time activity is found. You might use them to notify you when your kids come home from school.
- Program interior cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor is tripped.
- Change temperature levels or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help reduce utility bills.
Top smart home motion detectors, like those from Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately detect actual threats and decrease false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Lancaster from Vivint when you plan your fully integrated smart home. Our sensors are pet-friendly and permit you to program numerous automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery life and instant cell phone alerts. Contact (717) 922-5237 today to get started.