How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Newark home
Motion sensors are critical aspects in a comprehensive home security plan, as they’ll let you know if unexpected activity is transpiring at your house. Regrettably, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing Newark homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re trying to find solutions, check out our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They track shifts in infrared radiation in their field of view and can determine when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are frequently initiated by:
- Pets leaping on countertops or couches
- Flashes of bright daylight through a window
- A variety of heat sources, such as ducts and fireplaces
- Sudden humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that detects movement by constantly sending out and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement due to changes in the reflected signal. Any unexpected activity, like curtains swaying when an HVAC fan starts up, can initiate an alarm.
Ideas for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Newark home
In addition to interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly disruptive as they can lower your sensitivity to genuine risks. Moreover, repeated false alarms may become a frustration for local law enforcement and may impact future response times. Thankfully, you can help circumvent them by following these recommendations:
- Inspect the sensitivity settings of your devices and change to your furry friend’s behavior and size.
- Avoid aiming them at busy areas like food bowls, even if you have animal-friendly detectors.
- Avoid pointing motion sensors at windows exposed to heavy sunlight.
- Make sure areas are properly insulated to minimize extreme temperature fluctuations.
- Periodically dust and clean devices to keep sensors working properly.
- Inspect batteries and swap out as needed. Some devices will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure correct placement.
You might also choose multi-function devices that utilize both active and passive sensors to sense activity, providing a higher degree of accuracy.
How to incorporate motion sensors into your Newark smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into a new smart home is a terrific way to improve your security and convenience. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Get instant notifications on your smartphone any time movement is detected. You might also use them to alert you when your little ones get home from school.
- Have interior cameras to record when a motion sensor trips.
- Change lighting or temperature levels based on your home’s occupancy. This capability can help curb utility costs.
Top smart home motion sensors, like those offered by Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately identify actual threats and minimize false alarms.
Create your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Newark from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our tools are pet-friendly and let you initiate various home automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and instant mobile alerts. Contact (973) 566-5423 today to design your system.