Using built-in sensors, the thermostat in your Bountiful, UT home monitors your indoor temperature. Depending on the type of thermostat you have, your device may also be able to monitor things like indoor air quality and relative humidity. Your thermostat communicates with your heating and cooling equipment (and sometimes air purification and humidity-controlling equipment) to provide optimal indoor living conditions.
Unfortunately, there are instances where your thermostat shows inaccurate readings. Read on below for the top reasons from our heating and cooling services experts.
An Incorrectly Calibrated Thermostat
Miscalibration of your thermostat is a very common cause of inaccurate thermostat readings. Once installed for the first time, your thermostat comes with factory-set calibrations that provide readings that are very accurate. As time goes on, internal components can experience wear and tear, leading to inaccuracies with readings. You may notice readings that are higher than normal or lower as well.
It’s important that you have our team calibrate your thermostat. The process is relatively simple and involves adjusting internal sensors. This will ensure your home is comfortable as well as safe. Proper calibration can also protect the integrity of your HVAC equipment. Incorrect readings can cause your heating and cooling equipment to run more frequently than is necessary. If we determine that your thermostat cannot be recalibrated, we can replace your thermostat.
The Importance of the Location of Your Thermostat
An ideal location for a thermostat is in the center of your home, away from direct sunlight. Also, your thermostat shouldn’t be exposed to any drafts from nearby windows or doors. It’s important that your thermostat has an accurate reading of your residence rather than just a small area. Otherwise, you could end up with inaccurate readings, hot and cold spots or an inefficient HVAC system.
Avoid having your thermostat installed in an area of your residence that is near vents or registers, close to lamps or lights that produce a lot of heat or your kitchen, where cooking takes place. Inaccurate thermostat readings can take place if sensors are near outside walls that are hot or cold. Also, your thermostat should be installed approximately 52 to 60 inches from your floor.
Electrical and Wiring Connection Problems
As your thermostat ages, it’s common for problems with electrical connections to occur. This includes loose connections and damaged or corroded wires. There may also be problems with incompatible wiring or incorrect installation. Even if your thermostat is calibrated properly, these electrical issues can cause inaccurate readings.
You may find that your thermostat problems occur intermittently rather than every single day. This unpredictability can be stressful to deal with as well as expensive. We recommend having our team routinely inspect your thermostat to spot these electrical and wiring issues early before they cause problems.
Dirty Thermostat Sensors
Your thermostat can be exposed to debris like dust particles, pet dander and grease and oils from cooking. When these things accumulate on the sensors of your thermostat, inaccurate readings become very common. In many cases, this accumulation can insulate thermostat sensors, interfering with reading the ambient temperature in your home. As part of routine thermostat maintenance, we will clean sensors and interior components.
Malfunctioning Sensors Due to Age or Defectiveness
Thermostat sensors can wear down over time. They can also be subject to manufacturer defects. You may notice issues many months or even years after the initial installation of your thermostat. It’s common to experience accurate readings early on, only to have those readings become skewed over time. If the damage is extensive, we recommend replacing your thermostat with a new one. There are many advanced and smart thermostats that provide convenient and money-saving features.
Considering Air Flow Around Your Thermostat
The flow of air in a room can impact the accuracy of your thermostat readings. We mentioned avoiding the installation of your thermostat near windows and doors. However, ceiling fans, heating and cooling equipment and even humidifiers or dehumidifiers can impact readings. In most cases, this airflow will result in readings that are lower than the actual temperature in the room.
There may also be a thermal lag that exists between the conditions in your home and the sensors in your thermostat. This can result in your HVAC system adjusting its output when it’s not actually needed. This leads to uncomfortable interior conditions, overuse of your heating and cooling equipment and system strain.
Digital Problems With Your Thermostat
Smart thermostats come programmed with software and firmware that can make your life easier and safer. However, this same technology can cause problems. Glitches can result in inaccurate readings, even if your sensors and interior components are in good condition.
Make sure that your thermostat updates periodically so it is programmed with the most current data and firmware. If problems continue, it may be time to upgrade to a more modern thermostat. Your current model may not be supported by manufacturer updates anymore, or the technology may be out of date.
Human Error is an Option
The programming you’ve used for your thermostat may be incorrect, leading to problems. You may have made an incorrect adjustment to your thermostat, leading to a slew of concerns with inaccurate readings. It’s common for homeowners to install their own thermostat to save money. However, incorrect wiring and other installation mistakes can cause issues with runtime and readings.
Smart thermostats come with several setting options that are designed to save you money on your energy consumption. If you’re attempting to make too many manual adjustments or overrides, your thermostat can display a temperature that doesn’t match the actual temperature of your home. We always recommend having our team install a new thermostat at your residence to ensure the correct function.
Pairing Your Thermostat With Other Devices
Smart thermostats can pair with things like smart lighting, voice assistants, whole-home air purification equipment, dehumidifiers and humidifiers. While this can provide you with exceptional convenience, there is the potential for inaccurate readings. If there are multiple sensors sending data to your smart home system all at once, there may be discrepancies in readings that confuse the algorithms and programming of your devices.
Don’t Skip Professional Inspections
We recommend professional inspection and maintenance for your thermostat at least once per year. Most homeowners have this performed along with their annual heating and cooling equipment maintenance. Skipping this appointment because it seems like an affordable thing to do can lead to more serious problems with your thermostat. Our HVAC Maintenance Plan takes the hassle out of remembering to schedule, and includes discounts and perks.
Our goal is to catch miscalibrations and damaged components early so repairs can be made. It’s important that you’re proactive about the correct functioning of your thermostat. This will save you money and time in the long run.
If you are thinking about installing a new thermostat in your home, Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators in Bountiful can assist with this process. We can also help you with routine inspections and maintenance of your thermostat, as well as your heating and cooling equipment. Our team is ready to assist with emergency repairs.
Reach out to Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators in Bountiful today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
