Abstract: A solid state gas sensor may include gas sensing element coupled to a substrate. The gas sensing element may have a desired operating temperature, which may be between 100 and 400 degrees Celsius. The sensor may further include a temperature sensor coupled to the substrate and configured to sense an operating temperature of the sensing element and provide a feedback signal representative of the operating temperature. The sensor may further include a heater having a heat output. The heater may be responsive to the feedback signal to adjust the heat output to drive the operating temperature to the desired operating temperature. A detector such as a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector having such a solid state gas sensor is also provided. An associated method is also provided.