How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Naperville home
Motion sensors are essential elements in a comprehensive home security strategy, as they’ll tell you if dubious activity is going on at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing Naperville homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, explore our suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What causes motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They monitor shifts in infrared radiation within their detection zone and can recognize when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically triggered by:
- Pets jumping on tabletops or sofas
- Flashes of bright light through a window
- Various heat sources, such as fireplaces and ducts
- Drastic humidity or temperature shifts, which cause components to be too sensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that senses activity by constantly emitting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors spot movement due to modifications in the reflected signal. Any unforseen movement, like curtains shifting when your HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.
Tips for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Naperville home
Beyond interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more troublesome as they might lower your sensitivity to real risks. Moreover, repeated false alarms might become an annoyance for local law enforcement and may impact response times in the future. Luckily, you can help circumvent them by following these tips:
- Investigate the sensitivity levels of your devices and change to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Even when using pet-friendly motion sensors, it’s advisable not to point them at high-activity places like feeding stations.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows receiving intense sunlight.
- Ensure areas are adequately insulated to minimize drastic temperature fluctuations.
- Dust and clean devices periodically to keep sensors clear.
- Monitor batteries and replace as needed. Certain devices will even inform you when batteries are getting low.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure proper placement.
You could also choose multi-function devices that utilize both active and passive sensors to identify movement, providing improved accuracy.
How should you incorporate motion sensors into your Naperville smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into an automated smart home is a excellent way to enhance your security and convenience. You’ll be able to do the following:
- Obtain automatic updates on your smartphone when movement is spotted. You might program them to notify you when your kids arrive home from school.
- Program cameras to record when a motion sensor is tripped.
- Adjust temperature settings or lighting according to whether people are home. This capability can help reduce utility costs.
Top-tier smart home devices, like those installed by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better recognize real threats and decrease false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors
Get leading motion sensors in Naperville from Vivint when you customize your fully integrated smart home. Our tools are pet-friendly and permit you to initiate a variety of automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery life and instant mobile notifications. Call (630) 864-6179 today to design your system.