How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Springfield home

Motion sensors are critical components in a comprehensive home security strategy, as they’ll alert you whenever an uninvited guest is sneaking around your house. Unfortunately, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing annoyance and a bad night’s sleep for Springfield homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, explore our tips on reducing motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of home motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They sense fluctuations in infrared radiation within their field of view and can tell when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically caused by: 

• Pets climbing on countertops or couches
• Streams of bright light through a window
• Various heat sources, like fireplaces and air ducts
• Sudden humidity or temperature changes, which cause equipment to be too sensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are an additional widespread option that detects movement by continually broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Known as active motion detectors, they spot movement via modifications in the reflected signal. Any unforseen activity, like curtains moving when an HVAC fan kicks on, can trigger an alarm.

Suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Springfield home

In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly disruptive as they might desensitize you to real risks. Furthermore, frequent false alarms might become a nuisance to emergency providers and may affect response times in the future. Luckily, you can help prevent them by adhering to these recommendations:

• Investigate the sensitivity parameters of your equipment and adjust to your furry friend’s behavior and size.
• Avoid aiming them at busy spots like feeding stations, even when using animal-friendly detectors.
• Avoid pointing motion sensors at windows exposed to heavy sunlight.
• Ensure rooms are sufficiently insulated to help prevent drastic temperature changes.
• Regularly dust and clean equipment to keep sensors working properly.
• Check batteries and swap out as needed. Some motion detectors will even let you know when batteries are low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure optimal placement.

You might also choose multi-function devices that employ both active and passive tools to sense movement, providing improved accuracy.

How can you use motion sensors in your Springfield smart home?

Incorporating motion sensor into a modern smart home is a excellent way to improve your convenience and safety. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:

• Receive instant alerts on your smartphone when motion is found. You might also use them to notify you when your little ones get home from school.
• Configure cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor is tripped.
• Adjust lighting or thermostat settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help reduce energy bills.

Leading smart home motion sensors, like the ones installed by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately identify real threats and decrease false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Springfield from Vivint when you plan your fully integrated smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and allow you to program a variety of home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and immediate smartphone notifications. Reach out to (417) 428-8884 today to learn more.