Original publish date: 16th May 2023 Last updated: 17th December 2025

What is a temperature sensor and why do I need one?

When people think about home security, they often picture indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, video doorbells, and alarm systems. But there’s another powerful device that works quietly in the background to protect your home: the temperature sensor.

If you’ve never considered how a temperature sensor fits into your home security setup, you’re not alone. But once you understand what a temperature sensor is and how it works, you’ll see why it plays an essential role in protecting your home, your loved ones, and your valuables, especially during extreme weather.

This guide explains what a temperature sensor is, how it works, and why adding one to your home security system can help prevent costly damage.

What is a temperature sensor?

A temperature sensor is a small device designed to detect changes in temperature within a room, loft, garage, basement, or other indoor space. While commonly used in workplaces and industrial settings, temperature sensors are increasingly valuable in homes—particularly in areas prone to freezing temperatures or heat-related damage.

These sensors play a crucial role in spotting issues such as:

• Rapid drops in temperature that could indicate frozen or burst pipes

• Unusually high temperatures caused by faulty heating, electrical faults, or insulation problems

• Temperature changes in unused areas like attics, water tank cupboards, or garages

If you're researching what a temperature sensor is, think of it as an early-warning system that spots potential temperature-related hazards before they become expensive emergencies.

How does a temperature sensor work?

Temperature sensors measure the ambient temperature in your home and trigger an alert when readings move outside the safe thresholds you’ve set.

Here’s how they typically work:

• You set both high and low temperature limits on the device

• If the temperature rises above or drops below those limits, the sensor triggers an alert

• With SimpliSafe, the Base Station sounds an alarm and you receive an instant notification

• If you have a professionally monitored system, the monitoring centre will contact you via text or phone call, even if you’re away from home

To get the most accurate readings, temperature sensors work best when placed:

• Near your thermostat

• Close to exposed pipes or plumbing

• In areas where temperatures fluctuate, such as lofts, garages, basements, or utility rooms

If you’re renting or looking to buy a property, it’s worth working through a list of safety questions for your landlord or agent to ensure they’re transparent for any vulnerabilities in your home that could do with the reinforcement of a temperature sensor.

Placing a temperature sensor near exposed plumbing that could be prone to freezing or  bursting can be a life saver if the worst happens. Preventing frozen pipes may sound like an arduous task, but our blog posts on this topic explains everything you need to know.

Why install a temperature sensor at home?

Now that we know what temperature sensors are and how they work, let’s see how they can benefit your home once installed along with other home security gadgets.

1. Early detection of problems

One of the biggest advantages of temperature sensors is their ability to detect issues before they escalate. Whether it's a frozen pipe, a broken boiler, or sudden temperature fluctuations, sensors alert you early, helping you avoid expensive repairs. Pairing temperature sensors with water sensors gives you even greater protection against flooding caused by burst pipes. 

Take a look at our helpful blog post to learn the best ways to stop your home from flooding.

2. Extra protection for loved ones and pets

If you have pets and expensive possessions, you’ll want to keep them protected, particularly if you’re out of the house and need to be notified early of a sudden temperature change. Temperature sensors not only prompt you to get home to try to fix the issue, but it will help keep your pets and belongings safe too.

3. You can get regular, accurate readings

One of the benefits of SimpliSafe’s Temperature Sensor is that they can give you a reading every hour. They only require one CR-2032 Lithium 3V battery which lasts up to 5 years and will work within the lower and upper limits of temperatures you set for your home.

4. They help maintain comfortable, stable temperatures

If your home feels unusually cold or warm, each temperature sensor can be individually adjusted through the Keypad’s device settings. This flexibility allows you to maintain optimal indoor conditions, which is particularly useful in rooms with draughts, minimal insulation, or fluctuating temperatures.

Do you need a temperature sensor?

If you're unsure whether a temperature sensor would be beneficial for you, here are some circumstances in which we would recommend a temperature sensor:

• If your home has exposed pipes, loft areas, garages, basements, water tanks, or rooms prone to temperature swings.

• If you have pets, valuables, and vulnerable areas of your property that you want to protect.

• If you would benefit from early warnings before issues turn into costly emergencies.

Ready to add temperature protection to your home?

A temperature sensor is a simple but powerful tool for strengthening your home security.

Explore SimpliSafe's full range of home security products or contact us to build a tailored system that includes temperature sensors, water sensors, cameras, and monitored alarms.

Frequently asked questions

How does a temperature sensor work with a home security system?

A temperature sensor monitors the ambient temperature and triggers an alert when it exceeds customised high or low thresholds. With SimpliSafe, you receive instant notifications through the app, and the Base Station sounds a siren. If your system is professionally monitored, a specialist will contact you if an incident occurs, even when you’re away.

Where should I place a temperature sensor?

Temperature sensors are most effective when placed near exposed pipes, heating systems, loft spaces, utility rooms, or anywhere temperature fluctuations could cause damage. Positioning sensors near thermostats also helps provide accurate readings for early detection.

Do temperature sensors help prevent frozen pipes?

Yes. A temperature sensor can notify you the moment temperatures drop into the danger zone where pipes may freeze. Acting early means you can warm the area, shut off water, or intervene before a pipe bursts, potentially saving thousands in repair costs.

Do temperature sensors require professional monitoring?

No, you can use them with self-monitoring through the SimpliSafe app. However, if you choose professional monitoring, the monitoring centre will call or text you as soon as a temperature-related alert is triggered, providing extra reassurance.

How often do SimpliSafe temperature sensors update readings?

SimpliSafe Temperature Sensors provide hourly temperature updates and run on a long-lasting CR-2032 battery that can work for up to five years. This ensures consistent and reliable monitoring throughout your home.