Can Heat Set Off Motion Detectors

A security system offers plenty of protection for a homeowner, but there are some false alarms that come along with them as well. One of those can be the motion detector being triggered by things that aren’t really important. Small animals moving around outside of a house are one of the main things that trigger a motion detector, especially if it’s not correctly calibrated to look for larger or taller objects when detecting movement. That can happen inside a home, especially when people have pets or small children running around. But are there other things that can trigger a motion detector? Yes, and some of them could be things that may have never crossed your mind.

Before you start thinking your house is haunted — or that something is seriously wrong with your security system — you should stop and carefully troubleshoot what might have set off the detector. That way, you can reduce the chances of false alarms as much as possible, and still understand the kinds of things that could trigger those false alarms in the future. It can help reduce the risk of a homeowner getting worried every time a motion sensor goes off but can also help that same homeowner be aware of true alarms so they can be handled quickly and efficiently.

Motion detectors can be very sensitive

Just how sensitive are motion detectors? That depends on the detector and how you’ve set it up. Many detectors and sensors have switches on them where a one can adjust the sensitivity. Not every detector offers this, and not every person will want to change it — or even know that it can be changed.

The sensitivity of these motion detectors is important to be aware of, because it’s possible to have a lot of false alarms if they’re not in the right places or adjusted correctly. As you get used to your system, you may find things that need to be changed. That can include the sensitivity of the motion detectors, since these detectors are very important to the overall operation of the homeowner’s security system. Some of these detectors are so sensitive, that even changes in temperature, such as too much heat, can set them off.

How temperature affects motion detectors

Working with a security company means getting the motion detectors that company offers. That’s generally a good thing, but if the detectors aren’t good quality or if they’re too sensitive, they can go off when they get too warm. Motion detectors rely on the break of a beam of infrared light. When that beam is broken, the detector knows that there’s motion in the area. Then the detector sounds an alarm, letting the homeowner know there’s someone or something in the vicinity. But when a sensor gets too warm it can have trouble reading or sensing that beam, which can mean a false alarm that there’s motion in the area.

Working with the right security company

Choosing a good security company with motion detectors that can be relied on is important. In addition to those detectors, a homeowner who wants quality security should look for:

• 24/7 monitoring

• ease of installation

• fast response times

• good customer service

• high quality equipment

The more of these things you can check off the list, the more likely that you’ll be to what you want when it comes to good security. That can also give them a higher level of peace of mind, so they can have a better home security experience.

Interested in monitored home security? Get a free quote from Brinks Home™.

Lauren Slade is a Dallas-based writer and editor.