How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Olympia home

Motion sensors are critical components in a comprehensive home security installation, as they’ll alert you whenever suspicious activity is going on at your house. Regrettably, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing frustration and a bad night’s sleep for Olympia homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, check out our suggestions for cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What initiates motion detector false alarms?

Most household motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They sense fluctuations in infrared radiation in their detection zone and can recognize when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically initiated by: 

• Pets leaping on sofas or counters
• Bursts of bright sunlight through a window
• Different heat sources, like air ducts and fireplaces
• Drastic temperature or humidity changes, which cause components to be overly sensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that detects activity by continuously emitting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors spot movement via alterations in the reflected signal. Any unforseen movement, like curtains shifting when your HVAC fan starts up, can initiate an alarm.

Tips for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Olympia home

In addition to losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly problematic as they may numb you to real dangers. Furthermore, recurring false alarms might become an annoyance for emergency providers and may influence future response times. Fortunately, you can help avoid them by implementing these recommendations:

• Inspect the sensitivity levels of your equipment and modify to your furry friend’s behavior and size.
• Even when using pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s advisable not to point them at high-activity places like food bowls.
• Avoid directing motion detectors at windows exposed to intense sunlight.
• Make sure rooms are sufficiently insulated to minimize drastic temperature shifts.
• Dust and clean equipment periodically to ensure proper function.
• Monitor batteries and change as needed. Many devices will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure proper positioning.

You could also choose dual-technology devices that utilize both passive and active tools to sense activity, providing improved accuracy.

How can you use motion sensors in your Olympia smart home?

Installing motion sensors in an automated smart home is a terrific way to boost your security and convenience. You’ll have the ability to do the following:

• Obtain immediate notifications on your mobile device whenever activity is found. You could also program them to notify you when your kids arrive home from school.
• Have indoor cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor triggers.
• Change lighting or temperature settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This feature can help lower energy costs.

Leading smart home motion sensors, like those installed by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately detect real threats and reduce false alarms.

Design your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get leading motion sensors in Olympia from Vivint when you plan your fully integrated smart home. Our devices are pet-friendly and permit you to initiate a variety of automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery and automatic cell phone alerts. Call (360) 996-1195 today to design your system.