Your thermostat is essentially the brain of your HVAC system. It signals this system to turn on and off based on the current temperature and the temperature setting. If your thermostat isn’t reading the temperature correctly, it can lead to high energy bills or compromise comfort.
Incorrect thermostat readings can happen for a few different reasons, and here, our AC and heating service experts will explore the most common ones. This includes what you can do to fix the problem.
1. Improper Thermostat Location
The ideal location for a thermostat is in a central part of your home that receives sufficient air circulation. This ensures an accurate representation of the average temperature throughout the residence. The wrong location can result in your HVAC system running more frequently than is necessary, which can increase your energy bills.
In many homes, the thermostat is in a hallway. This can create issues due to many hallways being somewhat confined and not having good air circulation. Also, avoid having your thermostat in a location where it gets hit by direct sunlight, on an exterior wall, in a warm location like the kitchen, or near a supply vent, window, or exterior door. All these locations can cause the thermostat to frequently sense the surrounding air as being warmer or cooler than it really is.
2. A Failing Sensor
Many people are surprised to learn that digital thermostats typically only last for around 10 years. At this point in time, the temperature sensor often starts to fail. Once this happens, you’ll typically start to see more occurrences of the thermostat not reading the correct temperature.
If you suspect your thermostat is showing an inaccurate reading, you can check it by using a high-quality instant-read thermometer. All you need to do is hold the probe up next to the thermostat and wait for it to display a steady temperature. If all you have is a standard meat or candy thermometer, you’ll need to tape it to the wall next to the thermostat with a cloth between it and the wall and then wait a few minutes before comparing the two readings.
It’s normal that you may see a difference of a couple degrees. Anything more than that indicates you need to have a technician check your thermostat to determine what the issue is and if it needs to be replaced.
3. Thermostat Calibration Issues
Your thermostat may start displaying incorrect readings because it’s no longer properly calibrated. This is another thing that we will check for when determining why the thermostat isn’t working properly. The process for recalibrating a thermostat can differ quite a bit from model to model. You could make the problem worse if you try to calibrate your thermostat yourself without the proper knowledge.
4. Problems With Dust Accumulation
Even something as seemingly minor as dust accumulating inside a thermostat will often lead to inaccurate temperature readings. When dust builds up on the temperature sensor, it creates a barrier that blocks air from directly contacting the sensor. This usually leads to the sensor reading at a higher temperature than it really is. You may find that your AC is running more often than necessary, or your heating equipment is not running often enough.
5. Your Thermostat Isn’t Level
If you have an older analog or manual thermostat that provides inaccurate readings, the main thing to check is that it is completely level. Newer digital and smart thermostats don’t need to be level to work correctly.
Analog thermostats have a bimetallic switch that contracts as the temperature decreases and expands as the temperature rises. There is also a horizontal tube of mercury that acts as a switch. How it works is that the expansion or contraction of the strip causes the mercury switch to tilt and open or close the electrical circuit, turning the HVAC system on and off.
If the mercury switch isn’t perfectly level, it will result in the HVAC system running longer than necessary or not staying on long enough. If your thermostat isn’t level, we can fix it by removing the cover plate, loosening the screws, and then adjusting the base until the level position is restored.
If you’re experiencing any issues with your thermostat or other problems with your HVAC system, SoBellas Home Services is here to help. We provide reliable heating and cooling services in El Paso, Las Cruces, and the surrounding areas. We can expertly handle all your home comfort needs.
For more information on our services or to schedule an appointment to get your thermostat inspected, contact us at SoBellas Home Services today.
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