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

Motion sensors are critical components in a comprehensive home security installation, as they’ll let you know if dubious activity is transpiring at your house. Regrettably, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing annoyance and a bad night’s sleep for Topeka homeowners. If you’re searching for solutions, check out our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.

What triggers motion detector false alarms?

Most home motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify movement. They sense shifts in infrared radiation inside their detection zone and can tell when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically caused by: 

• Pets jumping on tabletops or sofas
• Intense sunlight streaming through a window
• Different heat sources, such as ducts and fireplaces
• Rapid humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause components to be hypersensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that senses movement by constantly broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement through changes in the reflected signal. Any unforseen movement, like curtains swaying when the HVAC fan starts up, can set off an alarm.

Ideas for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Topeka home

In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly disruptive as they can numb you to actual threats. Additionally, repeated false alarms can become a nuisance to first responders and may impact ensuing response times. Thankfully, you can help avoid them by implementing these tips:

• Investigate the sensitivity levels of your sensors and change to your pet’s behavior and size.
• Avoid directing them at high-traffic spots like food dispensers, even if you have pet-friendly sensors.
• Avoid directing motion sensors at windows receiving bright sunlight.
• Make sure spaces are adequately insulated to prevent temperature changes.
• Dust and wipe down equipment frequently to keep sensors working properly.
• Inspect batteries and swap out as needed. Many devices will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure optimal positioning.

You could also invest in dual-technology devices that employ both passive and active tools to detect activity, leading to greater accuracy.

How can you incorporate motion sensors into your Topeka smart home?

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

• Get automatic notifications on your smartphone whenever activity is detected. You could also program them to notify you when your kids get home from school.
• Configure interior cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor trips.
• Alter lighting or temperature settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This capability can help curb utility bills.

Leading smart home motion sensors, like those from Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively detect real threats and minimize false alarms.

Build your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Topeka from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our devices are pet-friendly and allow you to configure numerous automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery and automatic cell phone alerts. Contact (785) 369-9429 today to learn more.