How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Johnson City home

Motion sensors are critical components in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll let you know if an unwanted guest is moving through your house. Regrettably, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing irritation and a bad night’s sleep for Johnson City homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, explore our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What causes motion detector false alarms?

Most home motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find movement. They sense changes in infrared radiation in their coverage zone and can determine when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are often caused by: 

• Pets jumping on couches or tabletops
• Direct sunlight streaming through a window
• Various heat sources, such as vents and fireplaces
• Sudden temperature or humidity shifts, which cause devices to be too sensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that senses movement by constantly broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement due to modifications in the returning signal. Any unanticipated motion, like curtains moving when an HVAC fan kicks on, can initiate an alarm.

Tips for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Johnson City home

In addition to interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are particularly troublesome as they may numb you to real threats. Furthermore, repeated false alarms can become a nuisance to emergency providers and may influence ensuing response times. Thankfully, you can help circumvent them by adhering to these tips:

• Check the sensitivity levels of your sensors and adjust to your animal’s behavior and size.
• Avoid aiming them at high-activity spots like food dispensers, even when you have pet-friendly sensors.
• Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows exposed to intense sunlight.
• Ensure spaces are sufficiently insulated to minimize temperature shifts.
• Dust and wipe off equipment regularly to keep sensors clear.
• Check batteries and change as needed. Many motion detectors will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
• Get them installed professionally to ensure optimal placement.

You could also opt for hybrid devices that employ both passive and active sensors to sense motion, providing greater accuracy.

How can you use motion sensors in your Johnson City smart home?

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

• Get immediate updates on your cell phone any time activity is spotted. You could also program them to update you when your children arrive home from school.
• Have cameras to record when a motion sensor triggers.
• Change lighting or temperature settings based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help lower utility costs.

Leading smart home devices, like those installed by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively recognize actual threats and minimize false alarms.

Build your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Johnson City from Vivint when you plan your fully integrated smart home. Our sensors are pet-friendly and let you initiate various home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and automatic smartphone notifications. Contact (423) 537-4338 today to get started.