How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Boulder home
Motion sensors are essential components in a multi-layered home security installation, as they’ll let you know if unexpected activity is going on at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing frustration and lost sleep for Boulder homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, check out our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.
What initiates motion detector false alarms?
The majority of home motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They monitor shifts in infrared radiation inside their coverage zone and can recognize when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by:
- Pets jumping on furniture or countertops
- Flashes of intense sunlight through a window
- Various heat sources, such as air ducts and fireplaces
- Sudden humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that detects motion by constantly emitting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors spot movement through alterations in the reflected signal. Any unanticipated movement, like curtains moving when the HVAC fan turns on, can set off an alarm.
Ideas for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Boulder home
In addition to interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are particularly disruptive as they may desensitize you to actual dangers. Furthermore, repeated false alarms might become an annoyance for emergency providers and may impact response times in the future. Thankfully, you can help circumvent them by implementing these tips:
- Investigate the sensitivity parameters of your equipment and change to your pet’s size and behavior.
- Even if you have animal-friendly motion detectors, it’s smart not to direct them at high-activity areas like feeding stations.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows exposed to bright sunlight.
- Ensure rooms are sufficiently insulated to help prevent extreme temperature fluctuations.
- Dust and wipe down equipment periodically to ensure proper function.
- Monitor batteries and change as needed. Some motion detectors will even inform you when batteries are low.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure proper positioning.
You may also choose multi-function devices that employ both active and passive means to identify movement, resulting in greater accuracy.
How can you incorporate motion sensors into your Boulder smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into a modern smart home is a excellent way to boost your convenience and security. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Receive instant alerts on your smartphone whenever motion is found. You might also program them to update you when your little ones come home from school.
- Have indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor trips.
- Alter thermostat settings or lighting according to whether people are home. This capability can help curb utility bills.
Top-tier smart home motion detectors, like those offered by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better detect actual threats and reduce false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors
Get leading motion sensors in Boulder from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our sensors are animal-sensitive and permit you to initiate various home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery life and immediate cell phone notifications. Contact (720) 807-9203 today to learn more.