Michael is TechHive's lead editor, with 30+ years of experience covering smart homes, home networking, and home audio/home theater. He holds a BA in Multimedia Journalism, authored the book Desktop Video Production, and was awarded Best Online Review by the Computer Press Association. Michael built a smart home in 2007 and used it as a real-world product-testing lab. Now living in the Pacific Northwest, he is converting his 1890 Victorian bungalow into a modern smart home. Michael has worked at CNET, PCWorld, Electronic Musician, and Maximum PC. As a freelancer, he contributed to New Media, Camcorder, MacWeek, and more.

But in general, your particular hot water system is almost certainly limited to 50°C hot water delivery. However, for high risk environments like aged care, hospitals, schools, child care centres and places like that, the water temperature is reduced to 45°C, further reducing the scalding risk for vulnerable groups.

A well-designed product that adds a new aspect of protection to Ring’s home security systems, the Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor works as advertised. But it’s not unique by any means, and it requires either a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro.

You can make a few customizations to how the sensor alerts you to water leaks and temperature triggers. First, you can opt to receive water-detection alerts, low temperature alerts, both, or neither. I’d recommend enabling both, at least until you know how many nuisance temperature alerts you get. Not getting any alerts defeats the purpose of having the sensor.

This sensor is not a stand-alone device, however; you must also have either a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro home security system and a Ring Protect subscription. Both Ring systems are stronger as security platforms than they are as general smart home hubs, but both can handle at least the basics in the latter category. The Pro model also integrates a Wi-Fi 6 router and several other features you won’t find in the cheaper version.

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Water damage presents a bigger threat to your home’s security than a break-in, fire, or any other peril. If you’ve already invested in a Ring Alarm system, adding the low-cost Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor is a wise investment. It can not only alert you to both the presence of water anywhere it shouldn’t be, it can also warn you of low temperatures that can lead to frozen water pipes at risk of bursting.

The Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor is a 2.95 x 2.95 x 1.06-inch (HxWxD) (75- x 75- x 27mm) disc with four metal contacts on its surface that faces the floor. A scalloped edge on the bottom half of the sensor allows any water to get underneath it. It’s powered by a single 3V C123A lithium battery that Ring says should last three years.

But here’s the thing – tempering valves really are important. They really can be life-saving. They really do play a critical role in keeping your home and the people who live within it safe and sound.

In Queensland, but also all across Australia and the developed world, strict regulations exist to ensure that hot water systems are up to code – and that definitely includes the installation of tempering valves. If you think it’s all just red tape, think again: these things are designed to keep you and your family safe and sound. In a way, they’re the most important part of your hot water system bar none.

Since Z-Wave is a mesh network topology, it’s easy to extend that range. You can either deploy any other Ring-compatible Z-Wave device (anything from a smart light bulb to a door/window sensor) between the flood/freeze sensor and the base station, or you can buy Ring’s Z-Wave range extender ($25). Ring includes one of these plug-in devices in its Ring Alarm starter kits, but you can add as many additional extenders as you need.

Place Ring Flood and Freeze Sensors anywhere water might leak–such as under a kitchen sink–or where cold temperatures could freeze your water pipes, putting them at risk of bursting.

Water detection and freeze warnings appear on the front page of the Ring app. You can clear or snooze the sensor to quiet the warnings until you can fix the problem. The app also maintains a log of all activities related to the sensor.

Regulations require tempering valves in all new homes or whenever a hot water system is replaced. This is to protect households from dangerously high water temperatures and the potential for scalding.

One of the features that does enhance the value of Ring’s product is its ability to trigger a smart water valve—such as the Zooz Titan Water Valve Acuator—to shut off your main water supply if a leak is detected. If you’re away from home and one of your water pipes breaks, your toilet overflows, or any other malfunctions occur, shutting off the source of the water will greatly mitigate any ensuing damage. While Ring also touts the Flo by Moen smart water valve as part of its Works With Ring collection of compatible third-party smart home products, that device will not automatically shut off your water supply if the Ring Flood and Freeze sensor detects a leak. If the Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor sends an alert, you must open the Ring app, tap the hamburger menu, tap Devices, and tap the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff tile, and then tap the “Closed” radio button to shut off your water supply. It’s worth noting that Moen’s own smart leak detector will automatically trigger the Flo Smart Water Monitor to shut off if a leak is detected.

I tested the Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor with a Ring Alarm Pro home security system and a Ring Protect Pro subscription plan. I poured some water in my kitchen sink and then placed the sensor on top of one of the residual pools. The sensor is not sufficiently weatherized to survive submersion or withstand water hitting it from above, but that shouldn’t be a problem as I almost immediately received all the notifications I’d signed up for: a phone call, a notification in the app, and a voice alert at the base station. I then removed the sensor from the sink, dried off its contacts, and dismissed the alert.

Now that we know why hot water regulation is crucial, let’s dive into how a tempering valve hot water system works. Basically, it’s just a run-of-the-mill mechanical valve that blends hot water from your system with cold water to achieve the desired, safe temperature. It’s usually installed on the outlet of your hot water system, constantly monitoring and adjusting the temperature before the water reaches your taps.

Within the Ring app, you can view a page dedicated to the Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor by tapping the icon for your Ring Alarm system and then tapping on its name in the sensor list. Here you’ll find an icon representing the sensor’s battery level, and tiles for various settings specific to the Ring and Flood Sensor, including one that displays an event history when tapped. Here you’ll see a chronological list of events, everything from settings changes to status changes, but most importantly, the dates and times leaks were detected and when they were cleared.

Queensland, although making its own hot water rules, essentially follows Australian standards, which specify that hot water systems must limit the delivery temperature to bathrooms at 50°C. However, for kitchens and laundries, the water temperature may be able to exceed this, as long as it doesn’t pose a scalding risk.

The Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor is a well-designed product that adds a new aspect of protection to Ring’s home security systems. It works as advertised, but it’s not unique by any means. You’ll find our top picks in water leak sensors, including several that can operate on a stand-alone basis, at the preceding link.

The Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor is a well-designed product that adds a new aspect of protection to Ring Alarm home security systems.

So what does a tempering valve do? It’s really all about acting as a safeguard. It ensures that even if your hot water system is heating water to a much higher temperature, the water you get is always pretty much safe to use and enjoy.

You’ll also need a Ring Protect subscription ($5, $10, or $20 per month or $50, $100, or $200 per year as of April 2024) to receive the sensor’s in-app alerts. If you have either of the also-required Ring security systems, you’re probably already paying for the top-tier Ring Protect Pro subscription, which includes professional monitoring that can dispatch first responders in the event of a police, fire, or medical emergency. Note that you must have a Ring Protect Pro subscription to receive automated phone calls when the sensor detects water or freezing temperatures. If the number listed as your primary contact doesn’t answer, the secondary contact you’ve provided will be called.

It’s all about regulating your hot water temperature – something the Queensland government and local councils, and most other reasonable jurisdictions around the world, should be doing. Why? Because without that little temper valve, scalding becomes a serious risk. And it’s not something you want to even joke about.

At least I thought I’d dismissed it. The LED light ring on top of the Ring Alarm Pro base station continued to pulse, and the station repeated its spoken notification five minutes later, and then five minutes later, and then five minutes later…. I finally Googled how to clear the notification and was rather embarrassed to learn that I needed only to look at the front screen of the Ring app, where a large “Water Detected!” alert appeared at the top, with a nearly as large button labeled “Take Action.” Tapping that button finally took me to a screen where I could fully clear the alert state. I could also have snoozed the alert and been reminded 4-, 8-, 12-, or 24 hours later if I really wanted to.

Is your hot water tempering valve acting up? Need a licensed plumber to install, repair or replace one for you? Don’t leave it to chance and instead reach out to S&J Plumbing and Gasfitting for expert service and advice. We’ll get your system compliant, safe, and running smoothly again. Get same day service from our local plumbers in Brisbane Northside, Southside plumbers, Logan plumbers and beyond!

According to the Australian Building Code, this regulation applies to all new hot water installations and any replacements in homes. So how does your system do it? It’s all about the tempering valve, which ensures your system complies with the rule by mixing hot water from your heater with cold water before it reaches your taps. That maintains a safe, regulated temperature. Without these valves, or if they’re not working properly, your water could be scalding hot in almost an instant – a major hazard, especially for children and the elderly.

A malfunctioning valve can lead to either dangerously hot or hopelessly tepid water. If you notice fluctuating water temperatures, it could be a sign that your hot water tempering valve isn’t working as it should. In such cases, it’s critical to have it inspected and replaced if necessary.

The sensor arrives with its battery pre-installed, but you’ll need to remove the plastic tab between the battery’s positive pole and the sensor’s positive contact to activate it. When you do that, your Ring Alarm system will verify that it’s within range of your base station and add it to your Z-Wave network.

If you’re unsure whether your tempering valve is functioning correctly, you’re experiencing hot water issues, or you just need a little bit of extra advice, it’s always best to get professional advice. DIY repairs can sometimes cause more harm than good and are generally illegal, and for good reason with such a critical safety device.

Updated April 8, 2024: Thanks to a reader inquiry about how the Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor and the Flo by Moen smart water valve work together, we resubmitted a fact-check question to Ring. As it turns out, we were somewhat misinformed about how the two products interact, so we have updated this article accordingly.

While hot water storage tanks are usually set at 60°C to prevent dangerous bacteria growth, the water leaving your taps should never exceed 50°C. If you’re experiencing temperatures above this in the bathroom, your hot water tempering valves definitely need attention.

Adding a Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor to your Ring Alarm system is as easy as launching the app, clicking the Set Up a Device button, clicking the Security category, and then choosing the Scan a QR Code option at the top of the menu. Scan the QR code on the box, a slip of paper inside the box, or on the device itself and then follow the on-screen instructions. This includes identifying the location where you’ll place the sensor and, optionally, assigning it a different name from its default.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably trying to gather information about something called a hot water tempering valve. Have you been told yours is important, but you don’t know why? After all, it seems like just another technical part of a complicated system you’d rather not waste time worrying about.

You can deploy these sensors at any indoor location where there’s a risk of a water leak from a supply line or a drain: Under a sink; next to a toilet, water heater, washing machine or dishwasher; near your basement sump pump; and so on. The only other limitation Ring stipulates is that the sensor must be within 250 feet of a Ring base station.

If your water fluctuates between dangerously scalding and awfully lukewarm, it’s time to check the temper valve. Regular maintenance checks can help catch these issues early.

Some of the competing devices I’ve reviewed—including the Phyn Smart Water Sensor, which also tracks humidity levels—allow you to choose custom thresholds. Ring says it chose 40 F to give you time to act before your pipes freeze, a condition that can cause them to eventually burst. If you find Ring’s sensor is sending too many freeze alerts, you can turn them off. More on that in a bit.

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Alert options come in the form of a push notification to the app, a Ring robocall (with a Ring Protect Pro sub), and an email. You can also opt to get a “chirp tone” notification at the Ring Alarm keypad, or either a spoken notification or a chirp at the Ring Alarm base station. The latter alerts are repeated every five minutes until cleared.

Did you know that a child or another vulnerable person can suffer third-degree burns in just two seconds when exposed to water over 60°C? Scalding accidents are more common than you’d think, and tempering valves are an essential safety measure to help prevent them.

The long battery life is attributable in part to the fact that the sensor uses a Z-Wave Plus radio to communicate with the Ring base station. The sensor spends most of its life in a deep sleep, waking only to verify its connection to the network or when it’s triggered by the presence of water or ambient temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 Celcius).

Queensland in particular, but also pretty much all across Australia, strict regulations are enforced when it comes to hot water system temperatures. Those strict laws mandate that hot water delivered to bathrooms in particular must be no hotter than 50°C – with basically no exceptions at all.

It also bears repeating: Don’t buy a Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor if you don’t have—or intend to buy—a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro system.

This is for a very good reason, because scalding can happen in just a few seconds when water is even a little bit hotter than that. In fact, try standing under the shower with the hot tap on and the cold tap completely off. Spoiler alert: OW!

These four contacts on the bottom of the Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor send an alert when they come into contact with water.