A faulty thermostat sensor can harm the performance of your heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. All thermostats rely on a sensor to work. It’s an essential HVAC component that’s responsible for measuring the air temperature. To learn more about thermostat sensors and how they work, keep reading.
What Is a Thermostat Sensor?
A thermostat sensor is a device that’s designed to measure the temperature of the surrounding air. Some of them are installed inside the thermostats with which they are used, whereas others operate remotely.
Remotely operated thermostat sensors are installed in a different area, such as the living room or the master bedroom. Regardless of where it’s installed, though, the thermostat sensor will measure the air temperature.
How a Thermostat Sensor Works
There are different types of thermostat sensors, but they all work in the same way. They measure the temperature of the surrounding air so that the HVAC system can respond with the appropriate action. HVAC systems, of course, are controlled via the thermostat. Whether you want to make your home cooler or warmer, you’ll need to adjust the thermostat. For your HVAC system to respond correctly, however, a thermostat sensor is required.
The thermostat sensor allows your HVAC system to cool or warm your home. If you set the thermostat to 70 degrees on a hot summer day, for example, the air conditioner will run until the thermostat sensor reaches 70 degrees. The thermostat sensor tells your HVAC system what the air temperature currently is inside your home. With this information, your HVAC system can respond by cooling or warming your home to the appropriate temperature.
How to Identify a Faulty Thermostat Sensor
If the thermostat sensor in your HVAC system is faulty, you may notice one or more signs. A telltale sign of a faulty thermostat sensor is continuous running of the air conditioner or furnace. If your air conditioner or furnace runs nonstop – even after cooling or warming your home – the thermostat sensor may be faulty.
A faulty thermostat sensor can also cause your HVAC system to prematurely cut off. In other words, it won’t cool or warm your home completely. Alternatively, your HVAC system may not turn on if the thermostat sensor is faulty. These are just a few common problems attributed to a faulty thermostat sensor. If you believe your HVAC system has a faulty thermostat sensor, you should consider getting it repaired or replaced.