How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Bakersfield home
Motion sensors are essential elements in a comprehensive home security strategy, as they’ll alert you whenever an uninvited guest is sneaking around your house. Regrettably, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing frustration and lost sleep for Bakersfield homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, review our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What causes motion detector false alarms?
The majority of household motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They track fluctuations in infrared radiation in their field of view and can recognize when something is in motion by its heat signature. False alarms are typically initiated by:
- Pets climbing on counters or couches
- Streams of intense daylight through a window
- Different heat sources, such as vents and fireplaces
- Rapid humidity or temperature shifts, which cause equipment to be overly sensitive or unresponsive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional common option that detects motion by constantly broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors spot movement through alterations in the reflected signal. Any unforseen activity, like curtains moving when an HVAC fan turns on, can trigger an alarm.
Tips for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Bakersfield home
Aside from interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more disruptive as they can desensitize you to real risks. Furthermore, recurring false alarms can become a nuisance to local law enforcement and may affect ensuing response times. Thankfully, you can help prevent them by following these suggestions:
- Investigate the sensitivity parameters of your sensors and change to your pet’s size and behavior.
- Avoid pointing them at high-activity places like feeding stations, even if you have animal-friendly sensors.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows that receive bright sunlight.
- Ensure spaces are sufficiently insulated to minimize extreme temperature shifts.
- Frequently dust and clean equipment to keep sensors clear.
- Inspect batteries and change as needed. Certain motion sensors will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure proper positioning.
You may also invest in hybrid devices that use both passive and active means to sense movement, leading to improved accuracy.
How should you use motion sensors in your Bakersfield smart home?
Installing motion sensors in an automated smart home is a fantastic way to enhance your convenience and security. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Get automatic notifications on your smartphone when activity is found. You might utilize them to update you when your children get home from school.
- Configure interior cameras to record any time a motion sensor triggers.
- Adjust lighting or thermostat settings based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help lower energy bills.
Leading smart home devices, like the models from Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to better recognize actual threats and reduce false alarms.
Create your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Bakersfield from Vivint when you plan your fully integrated smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and allow you to program numerous home automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and instant smartphone updates. Reach out to (661) 732-2557 today to get started.