The Freeze and Heat Sensor Alarm for Safer Pets and Kids

Heat Detector vs. Smoke Detector: What’s the Difference?

A heat detector uses an internal thermometer to alert you of high in-home temperatures that can lead to (1) heat exhaustion in people and pets and (2) serious but slower-burning problems like rust, mold, poor insulation, or water damage in your home.

A smoke detector, on the other hand, relies on chemical changes in the air, infrared heat signatures, or both to sniff out fires. Smoke detectors don’t usually alert you to smaller changes in temperature because it’s a given that fire burns hundreds of degrees hotter than a house with no AC or insulation, so smoke is a much more effective signal.

Smoke and heat sensor alarms aren’t often combined into one device, but heat and freeze detectors are because the detection mechanism is so similar. The Vivint heat sensor is a perfect example of this—it’s engineered to detect extreme temperatures on either end of the scale. While it doesn’t set off an actual alarm, it alerts you to potential problems through your Vivint Smart Home^® app.