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

Motion sensors are crucial components in a multi-layered home security installation, as they’ll tell you if suspicious activity is going on at your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing irritation and lost sleep for Evanston homeowners. If you’re looking for solutions, review our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.

What triggers motion detector false alarms?

Most residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They monitor shifts in infrared radiation inside their field of view and can recognize when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by: 

• Pets leaping on tabletops or furniture
• Bright sunlight shining through a window
• Various heat sources, like fireplaces and vents
• Drastic temperature or humidity changes, which cause components to be too sensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are an additional widespread option that detects activity by continually broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement due to alterations in the reflected signal. Any unforseen activity, like curtains moving when an HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.

Ideas for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Evanston home

In addition to interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be even more troublesome as they can lower your sensitivity to genuine risks. Furthermore, recurring false alarms might become a nuisance to local law enforcement and may impact ensuing response times. Fortunately, you can help prevent them by following these tips:

• Inspect the sensitivity levels of your devices and modify to your animal’s behavior and size.
• Avoid aiming them at busy areas like feeding stations, even when using pet-sensitive detectors.
• Avoid pointing motion detectors at windows receiving heavy sunlight.
• Make sure rooms are properly insulated to prevent extreme temperature changes.
• Regularly dust and wipe down equipment to keep sensors clear.
• Inspect batteries and swap out as needed. Some devices will even inform you when batteries are low.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure correct positioning.

You could also opt for dual-technology devices that utilize both active and passive sensors to detect movement, leading to improved accuracy.

How can you incorporate motion sensors into your Evanston smart home?

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

• Obtain immediate updates on your mobile device any time motion is found. You could also utilize them to notify you when your kids come home from school.
• Configure cameras to record when a motion sensor is tripped.
• Adjust temperature settings or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This capability can help reduce energy bills.

Top-tier smart home motion detectors, like those from Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify actual threats and reduce false alarms.

Design your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Evanston from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our tools are pet-sensitive and permit you to program numerous automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery and immediate mobile notifications. Reach out to (847) 925-7636 today to learn more.