How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Asheville home

Motion sensors are crucial aspects in a multi-layered home security plan, as they’ll tell you if an uninvited guest is prowling around your house. Sadly, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing irritation and a bad night’s sleep for Asheville homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, review our recommendations for reducing motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

Most household motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They sense fluctuations in infrared radiation within their coverage zone and can determine when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are frequently caused by: 

• Pets leaping on couches or countertops
• Intense sunlight coming through a window
• Various heat sources, such as ducts and fireplaces
• Rapid temperature or humidity changes, which cause components to be overly sensitive or non-reactive

Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that discovers motion by constantly emitting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. Called active motion detectors, they recognize movement through changes in the reflected signal. Any unforseen activity, like curtains moving when an HVAC fan turns on, can set off an alarm.

Ideas for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Asheville home

Aside from a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly disruptive as they can numb you to genuine dangers. Additionally, frequent false alarms may become an annoyance for first responders and may impact response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help prevent them by adhering to these recommendations:

• Inspect the sensitivity settings of your devices and modify to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
• Avoid directing them at high-traffic spots like food dispensers, even if you have pet-friendly sensors.
• Avoid directing motion detectors at windows receiving intense sunlight.
• Make sure areas are adequately insulated to help prevent temperature changes.
• Regularly dust and wipe off components to ensure proper function.
• Inspect batteries and replace as needed. Some motion detectors will even let you know when batteries are low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure optimal placement.

You could also choose dual-technology devices that use both active and passive sensors to sense motion, resulting in greater accuracy.

How to utilize motion sensors in your Asheville smart home?

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

• Receive immediate notifications on your smartphone any time motion is spotted. You could also use them to notify you when your little ones arrive home from school.
• Program interior cameras to record any time a motion sensor is tripped.
• Change lighting or temperature levels based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help curb energy bills.

Leading smart home motion sensors, like the ones from Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively identify real threats and decrease false alarms.

Design your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get leading motion sensors in Asheville from Vivint when you customize your fully functional smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and let you configure numerous home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery and instant mobile updates. Reach out to (828) 571-7175 today to learn more.