How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Virginia Beach home

Motion sensors are crucial elements in a multi-layered home security installation, as they’ll tell you if an unwelcome guest is moving through your house. Unfortunately, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Virginia Beach homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for 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 detect activity. They track changes in infrared radiation within their detection zone and can tell when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically triggered by: 

• Pets climbing on counters or couches
• Bright sunlight coming through a window
• A variety of heat sources, such as vents and fireplaces
• Rapid temperature or humidity shifts, which cause components to be overly sensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that discovers motion by constantly broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors pinpoint movement due to modifications in the reflected signal. Any unexpected activity, like curtains swaying when your HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.

Tips for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Virginia Beach home

Beyond losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are particularly problematic as they may numb you to genuine threats. Moreover, recurring false alarms can become a nuisance to local law enforcement and may affect response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help avoid them by following these tips:

• Investigate the sensitivity parameters of your devices and modify to your animal’s size and behavior.
• Even when you have pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s advisable not to aim them at high-activity places like feeding stations.
• Avoid directing motion detectors at windows receiving bright sunlight.
• Make certain spaces are sufficiently insulated to help prevent drastic temperature fluctuations.
• Regularly dust and wipe down components to keep sensors working properly.
• Inspect batteries and replace as needed. Many devices will even tell you when batteries are low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure optimal positioning.

You might also invest in dual-technology devices that utilize both active and passive sensors to detect activity, resulting in improved accuracy.

How can you incorporate motion sensors into your Virginia Beach smart home?

Incorporating motion sensor into a new smart home is a excellent way to boost your convenience and security. You’ll have the ability to do the following:

• Get immediate updates on your cell phone when motion is spotted. You might also program them to update you when your kids come home from school.
• Program indoor cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor triggers.
• Adjust lighting or temperature settings based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help lower utility bills.

Leading smart home motion detectors, like the ones offered by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately recognize actual threats and decrease false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Virginia Beach from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are pet-friendly and permit you to initiate numerous home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery life and automatic cell phone notifications. Reach out to (757) 294-8561 today to design your system.