How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your West Palm Beach home

Motion sensors are crucial components in a comprehensive home security plan, as they’ll let you know if dubious activity is occurring at your house. Regrettably, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing frustration and lost sleep for West Palm Beach homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, review our suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms.

What initiates motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of home motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They track changes in infrared radiation in their coverage zone and can recognize when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are often caused by: 

• Pets leaping on countertops or sofas
• Bursts of bright light through a window
• Various heat sources, like vents and fireplaces
• Drastic temperature or humidity shifts, which cause equipment to be too sensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that discovers movement by constantly sending out and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement due to alterations in the reflected signal. Any unanticipated activity, like curtains moving when your HVAC fan turns on, can trigger an alarm.

Ideas for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your West Palm Beach home

In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly problematic as they may desensitize you to genuine risks. Additionally, repeated false alarms might become a frustration for first responders and may influence ensuing response times. Luckily, you can help circumvent them by adhering to these suggestions:

• Investigate the sensitivity settings of your sensors and adjust to your animal’s behavior and size.
• Even if you have pet-friendly motion sensors, it’s advisable not to aim them at high-activity places like food dispensers.
• Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows that receive intense sunlight.
• Ensure spaces are sufficiently insulated to minimize temperature changes.
• Periodically dust and clean devices to ensure proper function.
• Monitor batteries and replace as needed. Many motion sensors will even inform you when batteries are low.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure proper placement.

You could also invest in dual-technology devices that employ both passive and active means to detect movement, providing improved accuracy.

How to utilize motion sensors in your West Palm Beach smart home?

Installing motion sensors in a new smart home is a terrific way to boost your convenience and security. You’ll have the ability to do the following:

• Obtain instant notifications on your smartphone whenever activity is found. You might also utilize them to update you when your kids come home from school.
• Configure indoor cameras to record any time a motion sensor trips.
• Adjust lighting or temperature settings based on your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help curb energy expenses.

Top smart home motion detectors, like the ones offered by Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively detect real threats and reduce false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors

Get the top motion sensors in West Palm Beach from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and allow you to configure various automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery and automatic cell phone notifications. Reach out to (561) 556-7696 today to get started.