How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Indianapolis home

Motion sensors are crucial elements in a multi-layered home security installation, as they’ll let you know if dubious activity is going on at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing annoyance and a bad night’s sleep for Indianapolis homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, explore our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of home motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find movement. They monitor fluctuations in infrared radiation inside their coverage zone and can recognize when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are typically caused by: 

• Pets climbing on tabletops or sofas
• Direct sunlight streaming through a window
• A variety of heat sources, such as fireplaces and air ducts
• Rapid temperature or humidity shifts, which cause components to be too sensitive or non-reactive

Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that discovers motion by continually broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors spot movement via modifications in the reflected signal. Any unforseen movement, like curtains shifting when an HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.

Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Indianapolis home

Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly troublesome as they might numb you to genuine threats. Furthermore, frequent false alarms may become a frustration for local law enforcement and may affect ensuing response times. Fortunately, you can help avoid them by implementing these recommendations:

• Check the sensitivity parameters of your sensors and modify to your pet’s size and behavior.
• Avoid aiming them at high-activity areas like food bowls, even if you have animal-friendly sensors.
• Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows that receive bright sunlight.
• Make sure spaces are adequately insulated to prevent drastic temperature changes.
• Dust and wipe down devices periodically to keep sensors working properly.
• Check batteries and change as needed. Some devices will even inform you when batteries are running out.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure proper positioning.

You may also invest in multi-function devices that use both passive and active means to identify motion, resulting in greater accuracy.

How to utilize motion sensors in your Indianapolis smart home?

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

• Receive automatic notifications on your mobile device any time movement is found. You might program them to alert you when your kids get home from school.
• Configure cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor trips.
• Adjust temperature levels or lighting in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help curb energy costs.

Top-tier smart home devices, like those from Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better detect actual threats and reduce false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Indianapolis from Vivint when you customize your comprehensive smart home. Our tools are animal-sensitive and let you configure various home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and immediate smartphone alerts. Contact (317) 978-5706 today to get started.