Top 5 Freeze Alarms for the Home

If you want to receive a warning when the temperature in your home drops dangerously low due to a furnace failure or power outage, you need a freeze alarm.  A freeze alarm is a device that monitors the temperature inside your home and sends you an alert so you can intervene, before you wind up with frozen pipes that burst.  There are many types of freeze alarms to choose from and costs range from under $50 to around $350.  To protect your home against freezing pipes, select a freeze alarm based on:  (1) How it communicates — landline phone, WiFi or cellular; (2) How you want to be alerted — phone call, text message or email; and (3)  Any other conditions you want to monitor, in addition to temperature.  Here are our 5 best selling freeze alarms, beginning with the least expensive.  

HomeSitter Temperature, Water, and Power Alarm

• The lowest cost multi-functional home monitoring system on the market for homes with a landline phone connection — only $70. (Can also communicate via a cellular network by adding a cellular terminal or Bluetooth terminal.)
• Sends a voice message alert that announces the specific problem – calls up to three phone numbers and sounds a built-in siren.
• Comes ready to monitor either high or low temperature, power outages, water leaks and backup battery status.
• High and low temperature set points are “fixed” (below 45°F or above 85°F).

 

Intermediate Freeze Alarm

• A landline phone-based freeze alarm that lets you call in to change the settings or check the current temperature by phone — on sale for less than $125. (Can also communicate via a cellular network by adding a cellular terminal or Bluetooth terminal.)
• Sends voice message alerts to up to three phone numbers.
• “Quick Status Check” feature lets you check current temperature, power and back-up battery status by phone call.
• Comes ready to monitor high or low temperature and power outages.  (Consider the Deluxe Freeze Alarm for a similar unit that monitors both hot and cold temperatures as well as other conditions using optional sensors.)
• High and low temperature set points are adjustable.

 

Elertus Smart Sensor

• A small, wireless environmental sensor that can be used indoors or outside in homes with a fulltime Wi-Fi connection — less than $200 for basic unit.
• Comes with built-in temperature, humidity, motion and light alerts; accepts two additional sensors.
• Sends text message or email alerts to up to five smartphones via the Elertus Internet Cloud Service.
• Requires no electricity — operates for about a year on two AA alkaline batteries.
• Remote programming possible via logging in or app.
• High and low temperature set points are adjustable.

 

DIY Cellular Alarm for Homes

• An affordable cellular-based freeze alarm for homes without a landline phone or Internet connection — around $225 for unit plus $50/cellular service.
• Operates on the vast Verizon Wireless network.
• Add a high/low temperature sensor to make this dual-sensor alarm function as a freeze alarm. (Note: Alarm also alerts for power outages and comes with a water sensor or sumpbobber.)
• Sends text message alerts to up to three smartphones or mobile devices.
• High and low temperature set points are adjustable.

 

Sensaphone 400 Cottagesitter

• A very versatile freeze alarm for homes with a landline phone connection.  Around $350.  (Can also communicate via a cellular network by adding a cellular terminal or Bluetooth terminal.) 

• Calls up to four phone numbers with voice message alerts. Continues to call until someone responds.
• Monitors for high/low temperatures (adjustable set points) and power outages, plus four other conditions based on optional sensors.
• Pair it with a setback thermostat for remote temperature control.
• Remote programming possible by phone call.

• High and low temperature set points are adjustable.

 

More About Freeze Alarms

If you are having a hard time choosing the best freeze alarm for your situation, read the articles “Pick a Freeze Alarm Based on How it Communicates” and “Frequently Asked Questions About Freeze Alarms” on the diycontrols.com blog site.  And if you would rather talk to a live person, call the technical experts at diycontrols.com at  1-800-487-1363, ext. 129.  We are here to help.