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

Motion sensors are crucial elements in a full-featured home security plan, as they’ll tell you if an unwelcome guest is sneaking around your house. Unfortunately, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing Peoria homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re searching for solutions, explore our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.

What initiates motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of home motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They track fluctuations in infrared radiation inside their detection zone and can recognize when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently caused by: 

• Pets climbing on tabletops or couches
• Streams of intense sunlight through a window
• Various heat sources, like ducts and fireplaces
• Sudden temperature or humidity fluctuations, which cause devices to be overly sensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that detects activity by continuously broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors spot movement via changes in the returning signal. Any unexpected movement, like curtains swaying when an HVAC fan turns on, can trigger an alarm.

Tips for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Peoria home

Aside from interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be even more troublesome as they might desensitize you to genuine dangers. Moreover, recurring false alarms can become a nuisance to emergency providers and may influence response times in the future. Thankfully, you can help avoid them by implementing these recommendations:

• Investigate the sensitivity levels of your sensors and modify to your furry friend’s behavior and size.
• Even when you have pet-sensitive motion detectors, it’s smart not to point them at high-activity spots like food bowls.
• Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows exposed to intense sunlight.
• Make sure areas are sufficiently insulated to help prevent temperature changes.
• Periodically dust and clean devices to ensure proper function.
• Monitor batteries and change as needed. Many motion sensors will even let you know when batteries are low.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure correct positioning.

You could also invest in multi-function devices that employ both passive and active tools to sense movement, leading to improved accuracy.

How should you incorporate motion sensors into your Peoria smart home?

Integrating motion sensors into a modern smart home is a fantastic way to enhance your convenience and safety. You’ll be able to do the following:

• Get instant updates on your mobile device whenever activity is detected. You might utilize them to alert you when your kids come home from school.
• Program interior cameras to record any time a motion sensor trips.
• Adjust lighting or thermostat settings based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help reduce utility costs.

Top-tier smart home motion detectors, like those offered by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify actual threats and reduce false alarms.

Design your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get the top motion sensors in Peoria from Vivint when you customize your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and allow you to configure a variety of automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery and automatic cell phone updates. Call (309) 332-1063 today to design your system.