How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Omaha home
Motion sensors are crucial components in a comprehensive home security installation, as they’ll tell you if an uninvited guest is prowling around your house. Regrettably, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing irritation and lost sleep for Omaha homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, check out our tips on minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of home motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They monitor changes in infrared radiation within their field of view and can tell when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are frequently caused by:
- Pets jumping on sofas or tabletops
- Bursts of intense light through a window
- Different heat sources, like air ducts and fireplaces
- Sudden temperature or humidity changes, which cause components to be hypersensitive or non-functional
Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that senses motion by continually emitting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors recognize movement via alterations in the reflected signal. Any unanticipated movement, like curtains swaying when your HVAC fan starts up, can initiate an alarm.
Suggestions for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Omaha home
Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are particularly troublesome as they can numb you to real threats. Additionally, repeated false alarms can become an annoyance for emergency providers and may influence future response times. Luckily, you can help prevent them by adhering to these suggestions:
- Inspect the sensitivity levels of your devices and adjust to your animal’s behavior and size.
- Even when using pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s wise not to aim them at high-activity spots like feeding stations.
- Avoid directing motion detectors at windows that receive intense sunlight.
- Make certain rooms are adequately insulated to minimize temperature shifts.
- Periodically dust and wipe off equipment to keep sensors working properly.
- Check batteries and replace as needed. Many motion detectors will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure proper positioning.
You could also opt for multi-function devices that use both passive and active means to sense motion, leading to improved accuracy.
How should you incorporate motion sensors into your Omaha smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into a new smart home is a excellent way to boost your convenience and security. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Receive automatic alerts on your mobile device any time activity is detected. You might also use them to update you when your little ones arrive home from school.
- Configure indoor cameras to record any time a motion sensor is tripped.
- Adjust thermostat settings or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This capability can help reduce utility expenses.
Leading smart home motion sensors, like the ones from Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to better recognize threats and minimize false alarms.
Build your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Omaha from Vivint when you customize your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and let you initiate numerous automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and automatic mobile alerts. Contact (402) 925-9471 today to design your system.