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How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Lynchburg home

April 30, 2025
Modern motion sensors attached to walls in a home

Motion sensors are essential aspects in a full-featured home security strategy, as they’ll alert you whenever an unwanted guest is prowling around your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Lynchburg homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re trying to find solutions, check out our suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms.

What triggers motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of household motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They track changes in infrared radiation within their field of view and can recognize when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are often caused by: 

  • Pets jumping on countertops or sofas
  • Streams of direct daylight through a window
  • Various heat sources, like vents and fireplaces
  • Drastic temperature or humidity fluctuations, which cause devices to be hypersensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are another common option that discovers activity by continually sending out and analyzing electromagnetic waves. Known as active motion detectors, they recognize movement via modifications in the reflected signal. Any unforseen movement, like curtains moving when the HVAC fan starts up, can initiate an alarm.

Tips for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Lynchburg home

In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly problematic as they can lower your sensitivity to actual risks. Additionally, repeated false alarms may become a frustration for local law enforcement and may influence response times in the future. Thankfully, you can help circumvent them by following these tips:

  • Investigate the sensitivity levels of your devices and adjust to your pet’s behavior and size.
  • Even when using pet-sensitive motion detectors, it’s smart not to aim them at high-traffic areas like feeding stations.
  • Avoid aiming motion detectors at windows receiving bright sunlight.
  • Make certain spaces are properly insulated to help prevent temperature fluctuations.
  • Regularly dust and clean components to keep sensors clear.
  • Check batteries and change as needed. Many motion sensors will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
  • Consider a professional installation to ensure correct placement.

You might also choose dual-technology devices that utilize both passive and active means to identify motion, leading to a higher degree of accuracy.

How can you utilize motion sensors in your Lynchburg smart home?

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

  • Receive automatic updates on your mobile device when activity is spotted. You might utilize them to notify you when your kids come home from school.
  • Configure interior cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor is tripped.
  • Alter temperature settings or lighting according to whether people are home. This feature can help curb utility costs.

Leading smart home motion detectors, like the models from Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately recognize actual threats and decrease false alarms.

Build your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get leading motion sensors in Lynchburg from Vivint when you customize your fully integrated smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and let you initiate various automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery life and immediate smartphone alerts. Contact (434) 300-3689 today to design your system.