How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Gaithersburg home
Motion sensors are crucial aspects in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll alert you whenever an uninvited guest is prowling around your house. Sadly, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing annoyance and a bad night’s sleep for Gaithersburg homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, review our recommendations for reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What initiates motion detector false alarms?
Most home motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They track changes in infrared radiation in their coverage zone and can recognize when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically triggered by:
- Pets climbing on furniture or tabletops
- Intense sunlight coming through a window
- A variety of heat sources, such as ducts and fireplaces
- Rapid temperature or humidity shifts, which cause components to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional common option that detects movement by continuously emitting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement due to modifications in the returning signal. Any unforseen activity, like curtains moving when the HVAC fan turns on, can trigger an alarm.
Suggestions for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Gaithersburg home
Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly troublesome as they can desensitize you to actual threats. Additionally, frequent false alarms might become a frustration for first responders and may influence future response times. Thankfully, you can help avoid them by adhering to these suggestions:
- Investigate the sensitivity levels of your sensors and change to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
- Avoid aiming them at busy places like food dispensers, even when using pet-friendly detectors.
- Avoid pointing motion detectors at windows receiving intense sunlight.
- Make certain rooms are properly insulated to prevent drastic temperature fluctuations.
- Regularly dust and wipe down components to ensure proper function.
- Monitor batteries and change as needed. Some devices will even let you know when batteries are running out.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure optimal positioning.
You could also choose hybrid devices that utilize both passive and active means to identify movement, resulting in greater accuracy.
How can you utilize motion sensors in your Gaithersburg smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into a new smart home is a fantastic way to enhance your security and convenience. You’ll be able to do the following:
- Receive immediate notifications on your mobile device whenever movement is spotted. You might program them to alert you when your children get home from school.
- Program indoor cameras to record any time a motion sensor trips.
- Alter temperature levels or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help curb energy bills.
Leading smart home motion detectors, like those installed by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better recognize threats and decrease false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Gaithersburg from Vivint when you plan your fully integrated smart home. Our devices are pet-friendly and let you program numerous automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and instant mobile updates. Reach out to (301) 923-4670 today to learn more.