How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Albany home

Motion sensors are crucial components in a full-featured home security plan, as they’ll alert you whenever dubious activity is transpiring at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing annoyance and lost sleep for Albany homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, review our suggestions for cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What initiates motion detector false alarms?

Most residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They track fluctuations in infrared radiation in their field of view and can recognize when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by: 

• Pets leaping on tabletops or couches
• Bursts of direct light through a window
• Various heat sources, like fireplaces and ducts
• Rapid humidity or temperature shifts, which cause devices to be too sensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that senses movement by continuously broadcasting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors pinpoint movement through modifications in the reflected signal. Any unexpected activity, like curtains swaying when your HVAC fan kicks on, can initiate an alarm.

Tips for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Albany home

Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly disruptive as they may lower your sensitivity to real dangers. Furthermore, recurring false alarms can become a nuisance to local law enforcement and may influence ensuing response times. Thankfully, you can help prevent them by adhering to these tips:

• Check the sensitivity levels of your sensors and modify to your pet’s size and behavior.
• Even when you have animal-friendly motion detectors, it’s smart not to point them at high-traffic areas like food dispensers.
• Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows receiving bright sunlight.
• Make certain rooms are properly insulated to minimize drastic temperature shifts.
• Dust and clean components frequently to keep sensors working properly.
• Inspect batteries and change as needed. Many motion detectors will even inform you when batteries are running out.
• Get them installed professionally to ensure correct positioning.

You may also invest in hybrid devices that utilize both active and passive means to sense movement, leading to improved accuracy.

How to incorporate motion sensors into your Albany smart home?

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

• Get automatic notifications on your smartphone when movement is spotted. You might also program them to alert you when your kids arrive home from school.
• Have interior cameras to record when a motion sensor trips.
• Adjust temperature levels or lighting in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This feature can help lower utility costs.

Top-tier smart home motion sensors, like those offered by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify real threats and decrease false alarms.

Design your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get the top motion sensors in Albany from Vivint when you design your fully integrated smart home. Our tools are animal-sensitive and let you initiate various home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery life and immediate mobile updates. Reach out to (518) 900-7096 today to design your system.