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

Motion sensors are critical components in a full-featured home security installation, as they’ll tell you if an unwelcome guest is sneaking around your house. Regrettably, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing irritation and a bad night’s sleep for Charlotte homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, explore our recommendations for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

Most household motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They monitor changes in infrared radiation within their detection zone and can determine when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are frequently initiated by: 

• Pets leaping on sofas or tabletops
• Intense sunlight streaming through a window
• A variety of heat sources, like fireplaces and vents
• Drastic temperature or humidity fluctuations, which cause devices to be too sensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that detects activity by continuously broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors recognize movement due to modifications in the reflected signal. Any unexpected motion, like curtains shifting when your HVAC fan turns on, can set off an alarm.

Suggestions for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Charlotte home

In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly disruptive as they might lower your sensitivity to real dangers. Moreover, frequent false alarms can become an annoyance for emergency providers and may impact response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help prevent them by adhering to these tips:

• Inspect the sensitivity parameters of your equipment and adjust to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
• Avoid pointing them at high-activity areas like food dispensers, even when using pet-sensitive sensors.
• Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows receiving intense sunlight.
• Make certain spaces are adequately insulated to help prevent temperature changes.
• Periodically dust and wipe down devices to ensure proper function.
• Monitor batteries and change as needed. Certain motion detectors will even tell you when batteries are low.
• Get them installed professionally to ensure optimal placement.

You could also invest in dual-technology devices that employ both active and passive sensors to detect movement, leading to a higher degree of accuracy.

How to utilize motion sensors in your Charlotte smart home?

Integrating motion sensors into an automated smart home is a terrific way to enhance your security and convenience. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:

• Receive automatic alerts on your smartphone whenever movement is found. You might utilize them to update you when your kids come home from school.
• Have interior cameras to record any time a motion sensor trips.
• Change lighting or temperature settings according to whether people are home. This feature can help lower utility expenses.

Leading smart home motion sensors, like those offered by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better recognize threats and reduce false alarms.

Design your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors

Get the top motion sensors in Charlotte from Vivint when you customize your fully functional smart home. Our devices are animal-sensitive and allow you to program a variety of home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and instant mobile updates. Call (704) 457-8797 today to learn more.