When was the last time that your thermostat was calibrated? Whether your home is equipped with a furnace and air conditioning system or a heat pump, it probably has a thermostat. The thermostat is the control interface from which you can adjust your home’s temperature. If your thermostat isn’t properly calibrated, though, it may result in problems with your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system.
The Basics of Thermostat Calibration
Calibration is the process of adjusting a thermostat so that it reads the correct indoor temperature. While there are different types of thermostats, they all work by sending commands to HVAC systems based on the indoor temperature and the temperature for which they are set.
Thermostats contain a sensor that measures the indoor temperature. If the sensor reads 63 degrees Fahrenheit and the thermostat is set for 68 degrees Fahrenheit while in heating mode, the furnace or heat pump will raise the indoor temperature by 5 degrees Fahrenheit before turning off. Calibration is designed to ensure that the thermostat reads the correct indoor temperature. If the indoor temperature is really 60 degrees Fahrenheit – as opposed to 63 degrees Fahrenheit – you can calibrate it with the proper adjustment.
Increased Comfort
Ensuring that your thermostat is properly calibrated will result in a more comfortable home for you and your family. When you set your thermostat for a specific temperature, you probably expect your HVAC system to run until it achieves that temperature. This won’t occur, though, if your thermostat is out of calibration.
Thermostats that are out of calibration can’t sense the correct indoor temperature. They’ll either sense the indoor temperature as being higher or lower than what it really is. As a result, thermostats that are out of calibration can create an uncomfortable environment.
Energy Savings
Another reason to calibrate your thermostat is energy savings. It will promote a more energy efficient HVAC system. Your HVAC system may run for a longer length of time. Not only will this create an uncomfortable environment in your home; it will consume more energy.
Calibrating a thermostat isn’t always easy. You’ll have to measure the indoor temperature using a separate thermostat, and then you’ll have to make the necessary calibration adjustments based on the correct temperature. Fortunately, you don’t have to calibrate your thermostat yourself. You can hire an HVAC technician to calibrate it. HVAC technicians are familiar with all of the leading thermostats. They have the knowledge and tools necessary to calibrate thermostats.