Double the Perks: Remote Thermostat with Freeze Alarm Protection

A remote thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature in your home from virtually anywhere is appealing on its own merits, but how about a remote thermostat that doubles as a freeze alarm so you’ll get warnings if there’s a low temperature emergency in your house, before your pipes freeze and cause catastrophic damage?   Pretty impressive, right? You’d only have to buy one device to get the perks of two! The good news is there are several remote thermostats on the market today that have freeze alarm capability. If this sounds interesting to you, keep reading…

 

Key Benefit of a Remote Thermostat + Freeze Alarm

Homeowners usually upgrade to a remote thermostat so they can come home to a pre-heated or pre-cooled house. Others like how a remote thermostat helps save energy because they’re not running the furnace or A/C when the house is unoccupied. Some remote thermostats are controlled by calling the home phone number. Others allow you to change settings from your PC or smartphone.

The key benefit of of a remote thermostat with a built-in freeze alarm is that it also monitors for temperature extremes and sends you an alert if the indoor temperature reaches a dangerous high or low, giving you time to address the situation before pipes freeze or extreme heat can cause real damage. It will also notify you of unexpected power outages, which can cause your heating system or A/C to fail. Depending upon the model you choose, your remote thermostat will send you a phone call, email or text message alert.

 

How to Choose the Right Model

To choose the best remote thermostat with freeze alarm capability for your home, start with what kind of communication is available at your location: phone or Internet. Some remote thermostats use a landline phone connection* to communicate while others require an Internet connection.

Next, think about how you would like to be alerted of an emergency: phone call, email or text message. Phone-based models alert with a phone call. If you like the idea of getting text or email alerts, you’ll want an Internet (or WiFi) remote thermostat. Keep in mind, however, that this type requires a round-the-clock Internet connection, which can be a problem for seasonal homeowners who put their Internet service on “vacation hold” when they’re not using their house.

 

Phone-Based Models

There are two phone-based remote thermostat + freeze alarm models that we recommend. Both systems include a freeze alarm autodialer and a compatible telephone thermostat (purchased separately) and communicate via a regular landline phone connection.*

 

Deluxe Freeze Alarm

The Deluxe Freeze Alarm combined with a telephone thermostat is one of the least expensive ways to get remote temperature control and freeze alarm protection against high or low temperatures.

• Automatically calls up to three phone numbers if indoor temperature goes above or below your set points, the power goes out or the back-up battery needs to be replaced;
• Continues to make phone calls until someone responds to the call;
• Automatically resets when you have acknowledged the alarm and correct the alarm condition;
• Allows you to call in to toggle between your “Home” temperature or your “Away” temperature (which you program);
• Accepts optional sensors to alert for water leaks and intruders.

 

Sensaphone 400 Cottagesitter

The Sensaphone 400 combined with a telephone thermostat is a robust device that’s good for homes as well as businesses.

• Automatically calls up to four phone numbers when an alarm is detected;
• Continues to make phone calls until someone responds to the call;
• Allows you to call in to toggle between your “Home” temperature or your “Away” temperature (which you program);
• Three built-in functions:  power failure sensing; high sound level detection; and microphone for listening in;
• Freeze alarm function is pre-wired for monitoring the temperature of the room where the unit is installed;
• Has four alarm inputs that can be connected to a variety of optional sensors to monitor water on the floor, humidity, temperature in other rooms, and more.

 

*NOTE: If you don’t have regular phone service but want to use a phone-based remote thermostat, you can add a cellular terminal which allows the thermostat to communicate via a cellular signal instead of a landline phone. Check first that there is a strong, steady cell signal at your location.  

 

Internet-Based Models

An Internet remote thermostat gives you the freedom to change the indoor temperature to any level you choose using your smartphone or computer, unlike a phone-based system that only allows toggling between the “Home” and “Away” temperatures you program. Internet remote thermostats with a freeze/heat alarm function are the perfect solution for homes with full-time Internet service. Here are three of our best-selling models.

 

Venstar ColorTouch with Built-in Wi-Fi

The ColorTouch T7850 is a high-resolution digital thermostat with a colorful touch screen display that allows you to control your comfort and save money on energy from anywhere in the world.

• Communicates via WiFi;
• Comes with a free mobile app that lets you control temperature settings between 35^oF and 90^oF from your computer or smartphone;
• Displays current temperature via web/smartphone;
• Sends email and/or text message alerts to an unlimited number of people or phone numbers if indoor temperature goes above or below your set points.

 

BAYWeb Internet Thermostat

Energy-saving BAYWeb Internet Thermostats are fully-programmable and multi-functional and feature a secure home monitoring system that alerts you in case of heating/cooling issues, as well as sump pump failure and even break-ins (with the addition of optional sensors).

• Communicates via Internet using an Ethernet connection;
• Comes with a free personal web portal that lets you control temperature settings between 35^oF and 90^oF from your computer or smartphone;
• Sends email and/or text message alerts to an unlimited number of people or phone numbers if indoor temperature goes above or below your set points.
• Supports unlimited wireless motion sensors for “occupancy sensing” ;
• Includes one wired alert input to monitor another condition, such as water leaks.

 

VeraEdge Z-Wave Controller plus Thermostat

VeraEdge is a Z-wave home controller that lets you create a wireless smart home system to control your thermostat as well as appliances, outlets, locks, lights and other Z-wave devices. VeraEdge controls up to 220 Z-wave sensors and modules from any Z-wave manufacturer (all sensors and modules are sold separately). To get thermostat remote control and freeze alarm capability, add this Honeywell Z-wave enabled thermostat to your VeraEdge system. (For more information about Z-Wave home automation, click here.)

• Communicates wirelessly via WiFi;
• Comes with a free, easy-to-use mobile app that spans all platforms (Mac/Window/iOS/Android) to keep you informed and in control at all times;
• Honeywell Z-Wave thermostat is fully-programmable and works with all heating and cooling systems except electric baseboard;
• VeraEdge controller sends email or text message alerts to your smartphone or computer if the indoor temperature goes above or below your set points.

 

Summary

Remote thermostats give you the ability to pre-heat or pre-cool your home from just about anywhere at anytime, allowing you to adjust the temperature in your home to a comfortable level before you even get arrive! If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your current thermostat, consider one of the remote thermostats discussed in this article that give you remote control plus the added protection of a built-in freeze alarm that sends emergency high and low temperature alerts, before you incur costly damage.