Remote Temperature Monitors

[MissouriBird]

We would like to spend a month or so in the south during the coming winter, but are quite concerned about loss of power at our home, or furnace failure--both of which would lead to frozen pipes and lots of other issues.

What kind of remote temperature sensor/alarm do you use and what would you recommend? We want something that not only monitors temp in house and freezer, but is also capable of sending either a text message to alert us as well as our daughter.

All suggestions will be appreciated.

[jplante4]

Found the one I used at Menards

Home Sitter

[Dave_H_M]

jerseyjim wrote:
In our development, we have snowbirders that have a plumber come to the house to "winterize" it. Everything gets turned off.....then they call the guy about a week or so before the return, he comes back and turns everything back on.

No water...no heat...and I must guess, no damage.

When I used to snowbird (Jan-April in AZ) I turned off the water, but left the heat on...about 40 degrees. Nothing bad happened.

I think my sump pump in the basement would be a downfall to that system.

However good for a lot of applications depending on cost.

[jerseyjim]

In our development, we have snowbirders that have a plumber come to the house to "winterize" it. Everything gets turned off.....then they call the guy about a week or so before the return, he comes back and turns everything back on.

No water...no heat...and I must guess, no damage.

When I used to snowbird (Jan-April in AZ) I turned off the water, but left the heat on...about 40 degrees. Nothing bad happened.

[Y-Guy]

We have a Honeywell Thermostat that allows me to remotely control the temp and see the humidity level via my phone or computer. I like it so much I had them installed at two office locations.

[ScottG]

Can you leave one of those large round outside thermometers in a window where a neighbor can see it?

[pianotuna]

darsben1 wrote:
winterize the pipes

X2

[jplante4]

Lacrosse Technologies has a line of monitors that do what you want. I use their remote temp sensors to watch the outside temp and fridge temp.

I had a simple system that made a call at a preset temp and if the water detector sensed water. Threw off a bunch or false water alarms at first. Battery backup and used the landline phone. I can't find it online, so I guess it's no longer made.

[Boon_Docker]

Go to Ideal Security and purchase a Phone Dialer (SK618) and Temperature Alarm (SK627). They are wireless and will cost about $140.

[Lwiddis]

Cad seems to me to have done all the appropriate steps.

[larry_cad]

Last time we went to Quartzsite, we shut the water off at the source, drained all the water pipess, put RV antifreeze in all the drains because it doesn't evaporate, and then left the heat set to 45 degrees. We also had a small electric heater near to where the water came into the house, just in case the backup failed. Nothing bad happened.

[darsben1]

winterize the pipes

[Thomas_NH]

I have NEST thermostats in my house and apartments. I can read and set/change the temperature in several locations. It a great piece of mind... Can't help you with the freezer, but if I know the house temperature, I really wouldn't care about the freezer.