How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Pittsburgh home

Motion sensors are crucial components in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll alert you whenever an unwanted guest is moving through your house. Unfortunately, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing Pittsburgh homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re searching for solutions, explore our suggestions for cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

Most household motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They sense shifts in infrared radiation inside their coverage zone and can recognize when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are typically triggered by: 

• Pets leaping on sofas or tabletops
• Intense sunlight coming through a window
• A variety of heat sources, such as air ducts and fireplaces
• Rapid humidity or temperature changes, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are an additional widespread option that discovers movement by continually sending out and analyzing electromagnetic waves. Known as active motion sensors, they pinpoint movement through modifications in the reflected signal. Any unanticipated activity, like curtains shifting when the HVAC fan kicks on, can trigger an alarm.

Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Pittsburgh home

In addition to losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly problematic as they can desensitize you to genuine threats. Additionally, repeated false alarms may become an annoyance for local law enforcement and may affect future response times. Fortunately, you can help circumvent them by following these recommendations:

• Investigate the sensitivity levels of your devices and modify to your pet’s size and behavior.
• Avoid aiming them at busy places like food dispensers, even if you have pet-friendly sensors.
• Avoid pointing motion detectors at windows that receive heavy sunlight.
• Ensure areas are adequately insulated to help prevent drastic temperature fluctuations.
• Frequently dust and clean components to ensure proper function.
• Check batteries and replace as needed. Certain motion detectors will even inform you when batteries are getting low.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure correct positioning.

You may also invest in dual-technology devices that utilize both passive and active sensors to sense movement, leading to greater accuracy.

How to utilize motion sensors in your Pittsburgh smart home?

Integrating motion sensors into an automated smart home is a excellent way to enhance your convenience and safety. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:

• Obtain automatic notifications on your cell phone any time movement is found. You might also program them to update you when your children get home from school.
• Have interior cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor triggers.
• Adjust temperature levels or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help lower utility costs.

Leading smart home motion detectors, like the ones offered by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to better detect actual threats and decrease false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors

Get leading motion sensors in Pittsburgh from Vivint when you customize your fully integrated smart home. Our devices are pet-sensitive and let you initiate various home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery and instant mobile notifications. Call (412) 318-9359 today to get started.