How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Santa Fe home
Motion sensors are crucial components in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll let you know if dubious activity is occurring at your house. Unfortunately, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Santa Fe homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, review our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
Most residential motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They track shifts in infrared radiation within their detection zone and can tell when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically initiated by:
- Pets climbing on furniture or tabletops
- Direct sunlight coming through a window
- A variety of heat sources, such as fireplaces and vents
- Sudden humidity or temperature changes, which cause devices to be too sensitive or non-functional
Microwave motion sensors are an additional common option that discovers activity by constantly emitting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors spot movement through modifications in the reflected signal. Any unanticipated motion, like curtains shifting when an HVAC fan turns on, can trigger an alarm.
Ideas for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Santa Fe home
Aside from interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly problematic as they can lower your sensitivity to genuine dangers. Moreover, recurring false alarms might become a nuisance to first responders and may affect ensuing response times. Luckily, you can help avoid them by implementing these tips:
- Investigate the sensitivity levels of your sensors and change to your animal’s behavior and size.
- Avoid aiming them at high-traffic spots like food dispensers, even when using pet-sensitive detectors.
- Avoid pointing motion sensors at windows receiving intense sunlight.
- Make sure areas are sufficiently insulated to prevent temperature shifts.
- Frequently dust and wipe off components to keep sensors working properly.
- Check batteries and swap out as needed. Many devices will even inform you when batteries are getting low.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure optimal positioning.
You could also opt for hybrid devices that utilize both active and passive tools to sense motion, providing greater accuracy.
How to use motion sensors in your Santa Fe smart home?
Installing motion sensors in an automated smart home is a fantastic way to improve your security and convenience. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Receive immediate alerts on your mobile device when activity is found. You might also use them to update you when your children come home from school.
- Configure cameras to record any time a motion sensor triggers.
- Adjust lighting or temperature levels in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help curb utility expenses.
Top smart home motion sensors, like the models from Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify real threats and decrease false alarms.
Create your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Santa Fe from Vivint when you customize your fully functional smart home. Our sensors are animal-sensitive and permit you to program various home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery life and automatic smartphone alerts. Call (505) 605-2552 today to learn more.