How do you feel about preventative HVAC maintenance, particularly furnace and AC tune-ups? It is normal to not want to spend the extra money. But preventative maintenance can make a difference. Something as seemingly innocent as thermostat calibration can actually save you money by ensuring that your heating and cooling system continues running efficiently.
To illustrate the point, let us focus on air conditioning. Central air con can be fussy if it is not properly maintained. Thermostat calibration is part of routine maintenance that should be performed annually.
Thermostat Calibration Explained
As a heating and cooling contractor in the Salt Lake City, UT, area, SameDay handles its fair share of AC preventative maintenance. They are experts at calibrating thermostats.
They explain that thermostats can be less accurate in their measurement of ambient air temperature over time. The problem is that they can accumulate dust and debris. They are also subject to power surges, accidental bumps, and other things that can interfere with accurate measurements.
Thermostat calibration is the practice of measuring and adjusting a thermostat so that its temperature reading is accurate. An accurate temperature reading guarantees the AC is running only when it should be.
How a Technician Does It
An HVAC technician begins the calibration process by placing a verified-accurate thermometer somewhere near the thermostat but away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Once in place, the technician will wait 15 minutes or longer for both thermostat and thermometer to stabilize. Then it’s time to take a reading.
If the thermometer and thermostat differ by 2-3 degrees (or more) the thermostat needs calibration. A single degree or less is within the margin of error for most thermostats and thermometers.
Calibrating a mechanical thermostat is pretty simple. There should be a calibration screw inside the unit. The technician simply turns that screw until the thermostat display matches the thermometer. Things are a bit more involved with a digital thermostat.
Digital and smart thermostats are controlled by onboard electronics. So the technician will have to know which buttons to press for calibration purposes. Once the technician believes he has made the right adjustments, he will reassemble a thermostat and cycle the AC before checking the readings again.
How Calibration Helps
Calibrating a thermostat is a fairly simple job. As such, you might wonder how it actually helps anything. How can such a simple adjustment make any difference to HVAC operation? Let’s find out.
1. Accurate Temperature Control
Your thermostat relies on its measurement of ambient air temperature to cycle your air conditioner on and off. If its reading is correct, you achieve your desired comfort level in the most efficient way.
2. More Efficient Operation
Speaking of efficiency, a properly calibrated thermostat prevents the AC from running longer than necessary or kicking on when it should not. Your system consumes less energy in the long run.
3. Longer System Life
As durable as modern AC systems are, they still wear out. Maintaining proper calibration ensures that the system is not cycling needlessly. It doesn’t work as hard, so it lasts longer.
4. More Consistent Comfort
Finally, a calibrated thermostat ensures that the AC cycles on and off as frequently as necessary to maintain your desired temperature. You get more consistent comfort with fewer hot and cold spots.
Although calibrating a thermostat isn’t especially difficult, doing so can reap significant rewards. If it has been a while since yours has been calibrated, either learn to do it yourself or call a local heating and cooling contractor. You might be surprised at how much of a difference calibration can make.
