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

Motion sensors are crucial components in a multi-layered home security plan, as they’ll tell you if unexpected activity is occurring at your house. Regrettably, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing frustration and a bad night’s sleep for Bozeman homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, explore our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.

What triggers motion detector false alarms?

Most home motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They track fluctuations in infrared radiation in their detection zone and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently caused by: 

• Pets jumping on furniture or countertops
• Direct sunlight coming through a window
• A variety of heat sources, such as fireplaces and air ducts
• Drastic humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause devices to be overly sensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that senses motion by constantly emitting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Known as active motion sensors, they spot movement through modifications in the reflected signal. Any unexpected motion, like curtains shifting when an HVAC fan turns on, can trigger an alarm.

Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Bozeman home

Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly troublesome as they may lower your sensitivity to real threats. Moreover, repeated false alarms may become a nuisance to emergency providers and may impact response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help circumvent them by implementing these suggestions:

• Check the sensitivity levels of your sensors and change to your pet’s size and behavior.
• Avoid pointing them at busy areas like feeding stations, even when you have animal-friendly sensors.
• Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows exposed to heavy sunlight.
• Make certain areas are properly insulated to help prevent temperature fluctuations.
• Periodically dust and clean components to keep sensors working properly.
• Check batteries and change as needed. Some motion sensors will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure correct positioning.

You might also choose dual-technology devices that employ both passive and active means to detect movement, providing a higher degree of accuracy.

How to utilize motion sensors in your Bozeman smart home?

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

• Obtain instant updates on your smartphone whenever movement is spotted. You could also program them to update you when your little ones get home from school.
• Have indoor cameras to record any time a motion sensor trips.
• Adjust lighting or temperature settings according to whether people are home. This feature can help reduce utility bills.

Top smart home motion sensors, like the models from Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately recognize real threats and minimize false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Bozeman from Vivint when you customize your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and allow you to configure various automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and instant cell phone updates. Contact (406) 926-0255 today to design your system.