Big oversight I keep seeing on wireless sensor placement

I've been to three jobs this month where someone mounted motion sensors directly above a heating vent. Every time the furnace kicks on, that warm air sets them off false. Saw it at a house in Maplewood just Wednesday - customer thought the system was junk when really it was just bad placement. Has anyone else been running into this or am I just getting all the unlucky calls?

2 comments

2 Comments

abby_fisher14d ago

About six months back I had a house in Roseville where the homeowner kept getting false alarms from their living room sensor around 8pm every night. Turned out the floor vent was right below it and the thermostat kicked on when the sun went down. I just moved the sensor about 4 feet over to a wall that didn't have any vents nearby and it solved the problem completely. Also started carrying a small zip tie mount so I can put them on pillars or corners if needed.

garcia.cameron14d ago

Tack that sensor to the ceiling corner near the door frame instead. Less drafts, less furniture blocking line of sight, way fewer false triggers. I've done that in like 10 houses now and it kills the ghost alarm issues every time. Just grab a small sticky mount plate and you're good.