How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Las Cruces home
Motion sensors are essential components in a full-featured home security strategy, as they’ll let you know if dubious activity is occurring at your house. Regrettably, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing irritation and lost sleep for Las Cruces homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, explore our recommendations for reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
The majority of residential motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to find movement. They monitor shifts in infrared radiation inside their detection zone and can recognize when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically triggered by:
- Pets climbing on countertops or furniture
- Bright sunlight streaming through a window
- Various heat sources, such as air ducts and fireplaces
- Rapid temperature or humidity shifts, which cause components to be too sensitive or unresponsive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that senses activity by continually emitting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors recognize movement through alterations in the reflected signal. Any unforseen activity, like curtains moving when the HVAC fan starts up, can trigger an alarm.
Ideas for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Las Cruces home
In addition to interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly problematic as they might desensitize you to actual risks. Moreover, repeated false alarms can become an annoyance for local law enforcement and may affect ensuing response times. Fortunately, you can help prevent them by adhering to these tips:
- Check the sensitivity settings of your sensors and modify to your animal’s behavior and size.
- Even when you have pet-friendly motion sensors, it’s advisable not to direct them at high-activity areas like food dispensers.
- Avoid directing motion sensors at windows receiving heavy sunlight.
- Ensure rooms are adequately insulated to minimize temperature shifts.
- Dust and clean components periodically to keep sensors working properly.
- Inspect batteries and change as needed. Certain motion sensors will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure optimal positioning.
You may also invest in multi-function devices that use both active and passive sensors to detect motion, resulting in a higher degree of accuracy.
How should you utilize motion sensors in your Las Cruces smart home?
Installing motion sensors in a new smart home is a excellent way to boost your safety and convenience. You’ll be able to do the following:
- Get immediate updates on your mobile device when activity is found. You could also use them to notify you when your children get home from school.
- Program indoor cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor trips.
- Change lighting or temperature levels in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help reduce energy bills.
Leading smart home motion sensors, like those from Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately identify actual threats and decrease false alarms.
Build your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Las Cruces from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our devices are pet-sensitive and permit you to program numerous automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery and immediate smartphone updates. Call (575) 567-8689 today to design your system.