How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Orlando home

Motion sensors are critical aspects in a multi-layered home security plan, as they’ll tell you if an uninvited guest is moving through your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Orlando homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, review our suggestions for cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What triggers motion detector false alarms?

Most residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They track changes in infrared radiation within their coverage zone and can recognize when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are typically initiated by: 

• Pets leaping on furniture or tabletops
• Bursts of intense sunlight through a window
• Different heat sources, like vents and fireplaces
• Drastic temperature or humidity changes, which cause equipment to be overly sensitive or non-reactive

Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that discovers movement by continuously broadcasting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. Called active motion sensors, they spot movement due to changes in the returning signal. Any unexpected activity, like curtains swaying when an HVAC fan kicks on, can initiate an alarm.

Tips for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Orlando home

Beyond interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more problematic as they may desensitize you to actual threats. Furthermore, recurring false alarms may become a nuisance to local law enforcement and may affect ensuing response times. Thankfully, you can help prevent them by following these tips:

• Check the sensitivity parameters of your devices and modify to your furry friend’s behavior and size.
• Avoid directing them at busy places like food bowls, even if you have pet-friendly sensors.
• Avoid directing motion sensors at windows receiving heavy sunlight.
• Ensure rooms are sufficiently insulated to minimize temperature shifts.
• Dust and wipe off equipment frequently to ensure proper function.
• Inspect batteries and replace as needed. Many motion sensors will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure proper placement.

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

How should you incorporate motion sensors into your Orlando smart home?

Integrating motion sensors into an automated smart home is a fantastic way to enhance your security and convenience. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:

• Obtain instant updates on your smartphone when movement is spotted. You might program them to alert you when your little ones come home from school.
• Configure interior cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor is tripped.
• Change lighting or thermostat settings based on your home’s occupancy. This capability can help reduce energy costs.

Leading smart home motion sensors, like the models installed by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively identify threats and decrease false alarms.

Build your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors

Get the top motion sensors in Orlando from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and let you initiate various automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and automatic cell phone updates. Contact (407) 972-1223 today to design your system.