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

Motion sensors are critical components in a full-featured home security installation, as they’ll let you know if suspicious activity is occurring at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Spokane homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re searching for solutions, check out our tips on minimizing motion sensor false alarms.

What initiates motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of household motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They monitor changes in infrared radiation inside their field of view and can tell when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are often initiated by: 

• Pets climbing on furniture or tabletops
• Flashes of direct sunlight through a window
• Various heat sources, such as vents and fireplaces
• Drastic humidity or temperature changes, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that detects movement by continually emitting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors pinpoint movement due to modifications in the reflected signal. Any unexpected motion, like curtains swaying when the HVAC fan starts up, can trigger an alarm.

Ideas for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Spokane home

Beyond losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are particularly disruptive as they can desensitize you to actual threats. Additionally, frequent false alarms may become a nuisance to local law enforcement and may influence future response times. Fortunately, you can help circumvent them by adhering to these tips:

• Inspect the sensitivity settings of your equipment and modify to your pet’s size and behavior.
• Even if you have animal-friendly motion detectors, it’s advisable not to direct them at high-traffic places like food dispensers.
• Avoid pointing motion sensors at windows exposed to intense sunlight.
• Make sure rooms are adequately insulated to minimize temperature shifts.
• Regularly dust and wipe down components to keep sensors working properly.
• Monitor batteries and swap out as needed. Many motion sensors will even let you know when batteries are running out.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure optimal positioning.

You could also opt for dual-technology devices that employ both active and passive means to identify movement, resulting in a higher degree of accuracy.

How to incorporate motion sensors into your Spokane smart home?

Incorporating motion sensor into an automated smart home is a fantastic way to improve your convenience and safety. You’ll be able to do the following:

• Obtain instant alerts on your cell phone whenever movement is detected. You might also program them to update you when your children arrive home from school.
• Program indoor cameras to record when a motion sensor triggers.
• Change temperature levels or lighting according to whether people are home. This functionality can help lower energy bills.

Top smart home motion sensors, like the ones installed by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify threats and reduce false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Spokane from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are animal-sensitive and permit you to initiate numerous automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery and automatic cell phone alerts. Reach out to (509) 794-3440 today to learn more.