How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Kingsport home

Motion sensors are crucial aspects in a full-featured home security strategy, as they’ll tell you if unexpected activity is occurring at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing irritation and a bad night’s sleep for Kingsport homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, explore our tips on minimizing motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

Most home motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They monitor changes in infrared radiation inside their detection zone and can determine when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by: 

• Pets climbing on tabletops or couches
• Direct sunlight streaming through a window
• A variety of heat sources, like fireplaces and vents
• Drastic temperature or humidity fluctuations, which cause components to be overly sensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are an additional widespread option that senses movement by constantly emitting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement through modifications in the returning signal. Any unforseen movement, like curtains swaying when the HVAC fan turns on, can trigger an alarm.

Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Kingsport home

Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more disruptive as they might desensitize you to genuine threats. Moreover, frequent false alarms might become a frustration for first responders and may impact response times in the future. Luckily, you can help prevent them by implementing these recommendations:

• Inspect the sensitivity levels of your sensors and change to your pet’s behavior and size.
• Avoid pointing them at high-traffic spots like food bowls, even if you have pet-sensitive detectors.
• Avoid directing motion detectors at windows that receive intense sunlight.
• Make certain rooms are adequately insulated to help prevent extreme temperature fluctuations.
• Regularly dust and wipe down components to keep sensors clear.
• Check batteries and replace as needed. Certain motion detectors will even let you know when batteries are low.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure optimal placement.

You may also opt for multi-function devices that utilize both active and passive tools to identify movement, leading to greater accuracy.

How should you utilize motion sensors in your Kingsport smart home?

Integrating motion sensors into a modern smart home is a excellent way to boost your safety and convenience. You’ll be able to do the following:

• Receive immediate alerts on your mobile device any time movement is detected. You might use them to alert you when your children come home from school.
• Have cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor trips.
• Change lighting or thermostat settings based on your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help reduce energy costs.

Top-tier smart home motion sensors, like those from Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively recognize actual threats and decrease false alarms.

Build your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get leading motion sensors in Kingsport from Vivint when you plan your fully integrated smart home. Our tools are animal-sensitive and permit you to configure a variety of home automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and immediate smartphone updates. Call (423) 556-9460 today to learn more.