How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your State College home

Motion sensors are crucial components in a full-featured home security plan, as they’ll let you know if an unwelcome guest is prowling around your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing frustration and lost sleep for State College homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, check out our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What initiates motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of household motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They track fluctuations in infrared radiation inside their detection zone and can determine when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by: 

• Pets jumping on countertops or sofas
• Bursts of direct sunlight through a window
• Different heat sources, such as ducts and fireplaces
• Drastic temperature or humidity changes, which cause equipment to be overly sensitive or non-reactive

Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that discovers motion by constantly sending out and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement via changes in the reflected signal. Any unexpected movement, like curtains shifting when your HVAC fan kicks on, can initiate an alarm.

Tips for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your State College home

In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly troublesome as they can desensitize you to genuine risks. Additionally, recurring false alarms may become a frustration for first responders and may impact ensuing response times. Luckily, you can help prevent them by implementing these tips:

• Investigate the sensitivity levels of your sensors and adjust to your pet’s size and behavior.
• Avoid pointing them at high-traffic areas like feeding stations, even when you have pet-sensitive detectors.
• Avoid directing motion detectors at windows exposed to heavy sunlight.
• Make sure spaces are adequately insulated to minimize temperature fluctuations.
• Dust and wipe down devices frequently to keep sensors clear.
• Inspect batteries and replace as needed. Certain devices will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure proper positioning.

You could also opt for dual-technology devices that utilize both passive and active sensors to identify motion, providing greater accuracy.

How can you use motion sensors in your State College smart home?

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

• Get immediate notifications on your mobile device whenever activity is detected. You could also utilize them to alert you when your kids get home from school.
• Program interior cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor is tripped.
• Adjust lighting or temperature levels according to whether people are home. This feature can help curb energy expenses.

Leading smart home devices, like those offered by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately detect actual threats and decrease false alarms.

Build your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in State College from Vivint when you design your fully integrated smart home. Our devices are pet-friendly and let you initiate numerous home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery life and instant smartphone notifications. Reach out to (814) 752-4276 today to learn more.