Freeze Alarm

TheProfessor · 12-26-2010, 12:30 PM

Anyone use a Freeze Alarm?

An electronic gizmo that will telephone out to other locations when temperature dips below a set temperature.

What brand is used. And any recommendations for good ones and ones to avoid.

Thank you.

DickR · 12-26-2010, 01:00 PM

Do a search. This comes up now and then, and folks usually have positive things to say. I have one, although it isn't in use this year, as we retired and now live here. While were just coming up weekends in the winter, it was always set up. I have the intermediate FreezeAlarm, which I got through the electric coop, oh, maybe six years ago. I would sometimes dial in during cold spells, just to check on the current temp in the room where I had it set up. I got it after a heating system failure at the end of a cold snap resulted in ice in the toilet and a half dozen popped piping joints. They are nice to have, if only for peace of mind.

Neko · 12-26-2010, 04:01 PM

Read "Thermostat setting in unused house" below this thread

TheProfessor · 12-26-2010, 06:46 PM

Thanks.

I found this one: Reliance Controls THP202 Automatic Phone Out Alarm with 2 Functions.

Priced at around $75.00.

tis · 12-26-2010, 07:02 PM

I am with Dick R I love the intermediate Freeze Alarm which you could get from NHEC. I don't know if you still can. I got mine from Ace Hardware. I had a couple before this but I like this one because it is simple, small in size and works very well.

Charlie T · 12-26-2010, 10:46 PM

I've had my Lake Winni home for 11 yrs now, One of the first things I purchased was a Deluxe Freeze alarm. It has warned me many times of power failures and once of a heating system failure thus saving me a ton of money and repairs. The deluxe unit allows for calls to multiple phone numbers in the event of an alarm condition. and a big plus for me allows me to switch via a quick phone call between the 45 deg temp that I keep the house at when I'm not there to the 68 deg temp I want the house to greet me with when I arrive in the winter. My house takes about 8 hours to reach the higher temp once I turn it up so it's nice to be able to do it in the morning long before I arrive.

Freeze Alarm's customer service is great and I'd highly recommend that brand.

Good Luck
Charlie T

newbie · 12-27-2010, 10:17 AM

Agree with all of the above, a little money that is worth a ton of peace of mind. Saved my bacon more than once.

GM doc · 12-27-2010, 06:14 PM

Just winterize your cottage yourself and same the money for beer in the summer time.
If the power goes out for an extended amount of time IT WON'T no matter what anyway.

If someone put my number on the call list I would IGNORE the call, Call the owner up and tell them that you think the house will NEED some work come spring time.

nmcbride · 05-25-2012, 08:45 AM

We've used their FAB for a few years now at our cottage and it's worked fine. It's cheap, but also pretty basic. Temperature drops to 45 and it calls you. We picked it up from Absolute Automation years ago, I don't see it on their site now but I think the FA-700 is the unit that replaces it - http://www.absoluteautomation.com/po...re-alarms.html

jazzman · 05-25-2012, 01:38 PM

I've used a "Sensaphone 1104" for years for my winterized place. It's saved me more than once so far. If has extra inputs that you can wire to alarms or motion sensors. You can call it and it will tell you the current temp too.

It has a high temp alarm too. I never bothered to set it and sure enough during that warm spell in March, it started calling to say the temp was 94.

tummyman · 05-25-2012, 02:11 PM

I have also used the intermediate Freeze alarm for many yeas. It has saved me more than once. HOWEVER.....if you have Time Warner phone service, forget about the freeze alarm. If the power goes out, you are out of luck, as Time Warner does not offer battery back up in this region. I have had to stay with FairPoint for phone just because of the risk of no power in the winter. So be careful and be sure you have powered phones to make the call. The VOIP and other cable phones do not work when power is out, so you will never be called. If power is ON and the burner goes out/malfunctions, you would be called regardless of phone provider...since there is power.

songkrai · 05-29-2012, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tummyman

I have also used the intermediate Freeze alarm for many yeas. It has saved me more than once. HOWEVER.....if you have Time Warner phone service, forget about the freeze alarm. If the power goes out, you are out of luck, as Time Warner does not offer battery back up in this region. I have had to stay with FairPoint for phone just because of the risk of no power in the winter. So be careful and be sure you have powered phones to make the call. The VOIP and other cable phones do not work when power is out, so you will never be called. If power is ON and the burner goes out/malfunctions, you would be called regardless of phone provider...since there is power.

Excellent point. Many/some do not have or plan on doing away with a dedicated wired land line.

Also, do read up carefully on the specs of any freeze alarm. Read carefully what the electronic unit does and does not do. Make sure the specs meet your specific requirements. The cheaper ones do less and the more expensive ones do more.

12-26-2010, 12:30 PM	#1
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,122 Thanks: 17 Thanked 342 Times in 207 Posts	Freeze Alarm Anyone use a Freeze Alarm? An electronic gizmo that will telephone out to other locations when temperature dips below a set temperature. What brand is used. And any recommendations for good ones and ones to avoid. Thank you.

12-26-2010, 01:00 PM	#2
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 750 Thanks: 4 Thanked 259 Times in 171 Posts	Freeze alarm has been discussed before Do a search. This comes up now and then, and folks usually have positive things to say. I have one, although it isn't in use this year, as we retired and now live here. While were just coming up weekends in the winter, it was always set up. I have the intermediate FreezeAlarm, which I got through the electric coop, oh, maybe six years ago. I would sometimes dial in during cold spells, just to check on the current temp in the room where I had it set up. I got it after a heating system failure at the end of a cold snap resulted in ice in the toilet and a half dozen popped piping joints. They are nice to have, if only for peace of mind.

12-26-2010, 10:46 PM	#6
Charlie T Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 309 Thanks: 256 Thanked 183 Times in 88 Posts	Freeze Alarm, wouldn't be without it I've had my Lake Winni home for 11 yrs now, One of the first things I purchased was a Deluxe Freeze alarm. It has warned me many times of power failures and once of a heating system failure thus saving me a ton of money and repairs. The deluxe unit allows for calls to multiple phone numbers in the event of an alarm condition. and a big plus for me allows me to switch via a quick phone call between the 45 deg temp that I keep the house at when I'm not there to the 68 deg temp I want the house to greet me with when I arrive in the winter. My house takes about 8 hours to reach the higher temp once I turn it up so it's nice to be able to do it in the morning long before I arrive. Freeze Alarm's customer service is great and I'd highly recommend that brand. Good Luck Charlie T

12-27-2010, 10:17 AM	#7
newbie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Just North of Boston Posts: 107 Thanks: 60 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Another happy customer Agree with all of the above, a little money that is worth a ton of peace of mind. Saved my bacon more than once.

12-27-2010, 06:14 PM	#8
GM doc Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 76 Thanks: 1 Thanked 23 Times in 9 Posts	save yourself time and money Just winterize your cottage yourself and same the money for beer in the summer time. If the power goes out for an extended amount of time IT WON'T no matter what anyway. If someone put my number on the call list I would IGNORE the call, Call the owner up and tell them that you think the house will NEED some work come spring time.

12-26-2010, 04:01 PM	#3
Neko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Read "Thermostat setting in unused house" below this thread

12-26-2010, 06:46 PM	#4
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,122 Thanks: 17 Thanked 342 Times in 207 Posts	Thanks. I found this one: Reliance Controls THP202 Automatic Phone Out Alarm with 2 Functions. Priced at around $75.00.

12-26-2010, 07:02 PM	#5
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,719 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	I am with Dick R I love the intermediate Freeze Alarm which you could get from NHEC. I don't know if you still can. I got mine from Ace Hardware. I had a couple before this but I like this one because it is simple, small in size and works very well.

05-25-2012, 08:45 AM	#9
nmcbride Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Freeze Alarms from Control Products We've used their FAB for a few years now at our cottage and it's worked fine. It's cheap, but also pretty basic. Temperature drops to 45 and it calls you. We picked it up from Absolute Automation years ago, I don't see it on their site now but I think the FA-700 is the unit that replaces it - http://www.absoluteautomation.com/po...re-alarms.html

05-25-2012, 01:38 PM	#10
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 321 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	I've used a "Sensaphone 1104" for years for my winterized place. It's saved me more than once so far. If has extra inputs that you can wire to alarms or motion sensors. You can call it and it will tell you the current temp too. It has a high temp alarm too. I never bothered to set it and sure enough during that warm spell in March, it started calling to say the temp was 94.

05-25-2012, 02:11 PM	#11
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 833 Thanks: 256 Thanked 672 Times in 243 Posts	I have also used the intermediate Freeze alarm for many yeas. It has saved me more than once. HOWEVER.....if you have Time Warner phone service, forget about the freeze alarm. If the power goes out, you are out of luck, as Time Warner does not offer battery back up in this region. I have had to stay with FairPoint for phone just because of the risk of no power in the winter. So be careful and be sure you have powered phones to make the call. The VOIP and other cable phones do not work when power is out, so you will never be called. If power is ON and the burner goes out/malfunctions, you would be called regardless of phone provider...since there is power.

The Following User Says Thank You to tummyman For This Useful Post:
songkrai (05-29-2012)